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THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND 
HIS  KNIGHTS  OF  THE  ROUND  TABLE 


MACMILLAN  AND  CO.,  LIMITED 

LONDON  ■  BOMBAY  •  CALCUTTA  •  MADRAS 

MELBOURNE 

THE   MACMILLAN   COMPANY 

NEW  YORK  •  BOSTON  •  CHICAGO 

DALLAS  •  SAN  FRANCISCO 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO.  OF  CANADA,  Ltd. 

TORONTO 


THIS  EDIT/ON  CONSISTS  OF  FIVE  HUNDRED  COPIES 
SIGNED  BY  THE  ARTIST 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2012  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


http://archive.org/details/romanceofkingart01malo 


ROM 

KING  R 

O   I 

TB 


How  Arthur  drew  his  sword  Excalibur  for  the  first  time. — P.   14. 

Frontispiece. 


THE     ROMANCE    OF 

KING  ARTHUR 

AND  HIS  KNIGHTS   OF 
THE   ROUND  TABLE 

ABRIDGED  FROM 
MALORY'S  MORTE   D'ARTHUR 

BY 

ALFRED   W.  POLLARD 

ILLUSTRATED  BY 

ARTHUR  RACKHAM 


MACMILLAN   AND   CO.,  LIMITED 

ST.  MARTIN'S   STREET,  LONDON 

1917 


COPYRIGHT 


PREFACE 


The  story  of  King  Arthur  and  his  Knights  is  one  of  the 
greatest  that  men  have  ever  made,  greater  by  far  than  that 
of  Charlemagne,  which  had  come  into  fashion  a  litde  earlier, 
greater  perhaps  even  than  the  Tale  of  Troy,  already  some 
two  thousand  years  old,  which  for  some  centuries  it  eclipsed. 
It  is  through  the  fifteenth-century  prose  of  Sir  Thomas 
Malory,  in  which  homeliness  and  nobility  go  hand-in-hand, 
that  it  holds  its  place  in  our  hearts,  but  the  story  itself  was 
the  outcome  of  the  second  half  of  the  twelfth  century  and 
the  beginning  of  the  thirteenth,  the  days  in  England  of 
Henry  II.  and  his  three  turbulent  sons,  Geoffrey,  Richard 
Coeur  de  Lion,  and  John,  the  days  in  France  of  trouvere 


vi         THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

and  troubadour,  the  days  in  Italy  of  S.  Francis  of  Assisi 
and  the  worldliness  against  which  he  strove.  Something  of 
the  spirit  of  all  these  entered  into  the  story,  together  with 
some  contemporary  theology,  while  the  stuff  of  which  it 
was  woven  was  largely  derived  from  the  Celtic  borderland 
with  which  the  Norman  rulers  of  England  had  come  in 
contact  in  Wales  and  Brittany. 

In  the  days  when  the  Arthurian  romances  were  coming 
into  existence,  violence,  cruelty,  and  luxury  were  rampant, 
and  the  story  bears  many  traces  of  them  ;  but  the  greatness 
of  these  evils  called  forth  some  great  virtues  to  counter 
them,  and  the  story  bears  traces  of  these  also  and  strives 
gallantly  to  be  true  to  its  ideals,  though  when  primitive 
notions,  more  especially  the  old  belief  in  magic,  crop  up  in 
it,  it  sometimes  stumbles.  Despite  such  stumblings,  it  is 
penetrated  to  its  very  core  by  the  special  virtues  of  days  in 
which  men  were  content  to  live  dangerously  (dangerously 
for  themselves,  not  merely  dangerously  as  against  others), 
carrying  their  lives  in  their  hands  and  willing  to  lay  them 
down  lighdy  rather  than  break  the  rules  of  the  game  or  be 
faithless  to  word  or  friend. 

A  wandering  knight  challenges  a  great  lord  in  a  trial 
of  skill,  to  be  fought  out  to  death  or  exhaustion,  beneath 
the  walls  of  the  lord's  castle.  The  wandering  knight  wins 
the  day,  and  the  lord  becomes  his  vassal,  takes  him  into  his 
castle,  feasts  him,  appoints  a  guard  for  his  protection,  and, 
when  the  victor  bids  him  report  himself  at  Arthur's  court, 
comes  on  the  appointed  day  attended  by  all  his  retinue. 
That  the  lord's  men  should  interfere  in  the  fight,  or  the 


PREFACE  vii 

lord  himself  break  his  promise,  was  unthinkable  to  these 
romancers  ;  and  on  this  simple  basis  of  gallantry  and  good 
faith  there  was  built  up  a  code  full  of  fine  courtesies,  such 
as  those  which  forbade  a  great  jouster  to  interfere  with  a 
lesser  one  on  a  day  when  he  was  outdoing  himself,  or  a 
fresh  knight  to  challenge  one  already  tired  with  many 
victories. 

The  determination  to  live  dangerously  brought  a  strange 
and  evil  convention  into  the  relations  between  knights  and 
their  ladies.  A  good  knight  held  himself  at  the  service  of 
every  woman  who  asked  his  help — to  rescue  a  woman  he 
must  needs  leave  even  his  own  brother  in  jeopardy — but 
he  also  owed  a  special  service  to  the  lady  whose  badge,  if 
she  so  graced  him,  he  wore,  whose  presence  spurred  him  to 
excel  himself,  and  whose  pre-eminence  over  the  ladies  of 
other  knights  he  maintained  at  the  risk  of  his  life.  This 
lady  might  not  be  his  own  wife,  if  he  had  one,  and  she 
might  quite  properly  be  some  one  else's  wife,  her  knight's 
homage  be  approved  by  her  husband  as  a  tribute  to  her 
worth,  and  the  whole  relation  be  treated  as  part  of  the 
great  game  of  chivalry.  But  if  it  passed  beyond  a  game 
and  the  husband  hated  to  see  his  wife  caring  more  for  another 
man  than  for  himself,  then  it  became  dangerous,  and  because 
it  was  dangerous,  although  every  one  knew  it  was  wrong, 
it  made  a  story  more  exciting,  and  all  the  writers  of  these 
Arthurian  romances  chose  this  exciting  subject  as  a  literary 
fashion.  In  the  story  of  Tristram  and  Isoud,  which  forms 
one  section  of  this  book,  we  see  clearly  how  overmastering 
the  fashion  had  become.     Tristram  had  taken  Isoud  as  his 


viii       THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

lady,  while  she  was  still  unmarried  ;  Isoud  was  (openly 
and  humbly)  in  love  with  him  ;  her  father,  the  King  of 
Ireland,  was  eager  for  the  match  ;  but  the  romancer  thought 
that  their  marriage  would  spoil  the  story,  so  he  made 
Tristram,  after  he  had  gained  Isoud 's  love,  woo  her,  not  for 
himself,  but  for  his  uncle,  King  Mark  of  Cornwall,  and 
then  made  Tristram  and  Isoud  drink,  by  mischance,  a  magic 
love-potion,  to  excuse  them  for  loving  each  other  ever  after. 

The  literary  fashion  or  convention  which  imposed  itself 
in  this  way  on  the  romancers  was  thoroughly  bad  ;  but 
the  saving  merit  in  this  respect  of  the  Arthurian  romances 
is  that,  though  they  insist  on  this  situation  in  order  to  show 
the  hero  daring  all  sorts  of  dangers,  they  make  it  perfectly 
clear  that  the  situation  was  wrong  and  could  not  go  un- 
punished. With  one  exception  every  knight  who  yielded 
to  this  sin  is  shown  as  paying  for  it  with  his  life.  The  one 
exception  is  Sir  Launcelot,  and  him  we  see  maimed  and 
marred  by  thus  setting  his  love  where  he  should  not,  and 
atoning  for  it,  as  much  as  a  man  may  atone  for  wrecking 
the  lives  of  others,  by  bitter  repentance. 

The  story  of  the  Arthurian  romances  is  a  great  story, 
because  it  shows  us  the  effect  on  many  different  characters 
of  this  obligation  to  live  dangerously.  The  men  and  women 
who  fill  its  pages  are  not  just  names  or  figures  to  which 
adventures  are  tacked  on.  They  are  men  and  women  of 
real  flesh  and  blood,  no  two  of  them  alike  (save  when  the 
writer  of  one  section  deliberately  copied  another),  each  with 
his  own  virtues  and  failings.  King  Arthur  himself  is,  as  we 
say  nowadays,  a  typical  sportsman.    He  loves  jousting — to  take 


PREFACE  ix 

part  in  it,  to  see  it,  and  to  talk  about  it — more  than  anything 
else,  as  some  men  now  love  less  dangerous  games.  He  cares 
for  the  men  with  whom  he  shares  his  sport,  but  he  cares  for 
them  as  his  fellow-jousters,  and  he  never  gets  much  further. 
He  falls  below  lesser  knights  who  had  borne  imprisonment 
rather  than  fight  in  a  bad  cause,  for  which  he  cheerfully 
does  batde  ;  he  is  so  keen  on  his  own  side  winning  that  he 
overrides  the  etiquette  that  forbade  a  strong  knigh't  to 
attack  a  good  fighter  tired  by  his  own  successes  ;  he  is  weak 
in  his  own  life  and  weak  in  suffering  the  outrages  of  his 
nephews.  His  great  merit  is  that,  though  a  king,  he  never 
spared  to  take  his  risks,  and  by  that  courage  he  held  men's 
hearts,  so  that  "  all  men  of  worship  said  it  was  merry  to 
be  under  such  a  chieftain,  that  would  put  his  person  in 
adventure  as  other  poor  knights  did."  Also,  to  the  very  last, 
tM     he  could  be  trusted  to  keep  his  word. 

Sir  Launcelot  is  made  of  much  finer  stuff  than  Arthur. 
He  is  perhaps  the  most  splendid  study  of  a  great  gentleman 
in  all  our  literature,  generous  to  friend  and  foe,  courteous 
to  every  one,  eager  to  set  himself  ever  harder  adventures, 
unwilling  to  be  praised  above  his  fellows,  always  bearing 
himself  with  an  easy  dignity  which  lets  him  use  very  straight 
speech  and  yet  is  no  whit  impaired.  He  is  more  than  a 
great  gentleman  ;  he  is  a  very  subde  study  of  a  soul  in 
which  spirit  and  flesh,  aspiration  and  evil  habit,  strive  for 
the  mastery,  and  now  and  again  he  is  pourtrayed  with  a  rare 
knowledge  of  the  human  heart.  More  wonderful  even  than 
.  the  closing  scenes  with  Guenevere  seems  to  me  the  story 
of  the  coming  of  Sir  Urre  to  have  his  wounds  healed   by 

b 


x  THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

"  the  best  knight  of  the  world,"  and  how  when  all  others 
in  Arthur's  court  had  failed  Launcelot  touched  the  wounds 
in  all  humility,  and  when  his  touch  brought  healing,  while 
King  Arthur  and  all  the  kings  and  knights  gave  thanks, 
"  ever  Sir  Launcelot  wept  as  he  had  been  a  child  that  had 
been  beaten." 

Sir  Tristram  is  a  curiously  different  study.  Perhaps 
because  of  the  love-potion,  his  fault  sits  lightly  upon  him  ; 
he  has  a  most  detailed  memory  for  the  services  he  renders, 
and  is  quite  unconscious  of  there  being  any  set-off.  But  he 
is  delightfully  easy-tempered  and  forgiving,  joyous  and 
humorous,  and  deserves  kindly  remembrance  for  much  else 
than  his  harping  and  his  nicety  of  skill  in  ordering  the 
technical  terms  of  the  chase,  which  so  impressed  his 
chroniclers.     But  he  never  touches  greatness. 

Tristram's  assiduous  opponent,  Sir  Palomides,  the  Saracen, 
is  a  rather  laboured  but  quite  successful  portrait.  Probably 
because  he  was  a  Saracen  he  is  represented  as  not  quite  a 
gentleman,  but  pathetically  anxious  to  become  one.  He 
is  constantly  doing  things  which  Sir  Launcelot,  or  even  Sir 
Tristram,  would  have  died  sooner  than  do,  and  then  he  pulls 
himself  together  and  apologises  and  tries  manfully  to  play 
the  game.  His  final  appearance,  when  he  is  badly  mauled 
by  Sir  Tristram  as  a  preliminary  to  being  christened,  is 
singularly  successful,  none  the  less  so  for  its  touches  of 
humour. 

To  attempt  to  study  here  others  of  the  men  and  women 
who  live  in  Malory's  story  would  give  to  this  preface  too 
great  a  resemblance  to  the  page  in  school  magazines  headed 


PREFACE  xi 

"  Characters  of  the  Team."  It  remains  to  say  a  brief  word 
as  to  what  has  been  done  in  this  abridgment.  There  is 
good  reason  to  believe  that  Sir  Thomas  Malory  was  a 
Lancastrian  knight  who  himself  knew  the  pains  of  sickness 
and  imprisonment,  as  to  which  he  wrote  so  feelingly.  He 
had  to  make  his  compilation  from  such  books  as  he  could 
get  (he  apparendy  never  obtained  the  last  volume  of  the 
romance  of  Sir  Tristram),  and  it  is  probable  that  when  his 
version  was  made  his  life  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and  that, 
even  if  he  had  the  wish,  he  had  not  time  or  strength  to 
revise  it.  That  version  is  so  great  a  book,  written,  as  I  have 
said,  in  a  style  in  which  homely  charm  and  nobility  are 
so  closely  interlinked,  that  to  tamper  with  it  may  seem  a 
crime.  But  during  the  last  few  years  there  have  been  many 
complete  texts  of  the  Morte  (T  Arthur — I  have  passed  one 
through  the  press  myself — and  an  invitation  to  act  as  Malory's 
abridger,  even  as  Malory  had  abridged  the  romances  them- 
selves, found  me  daring  enough  to  think  that  such  a  further 
abridgment  would  be  a  very  interesting  experiment.  There 
is  much  repetition  in  the  Morte  <T  Arthur,  as  Malory  left  it. 
How  often  Sir  Breuse  sans  Pitie'  played  his  ugly  tricks,  or 
Tristram  rescued  Palomides,  or  minor  knights  met  at  adven- 
ture and  emulated  their  betters,  it  is  not  easy  to  count.  I 
have  tried  to  clear  away  some  of  the  underwoods  that  the 
great  trees  may  be  better  seen,  and  though  I  know  that  I 
have  cleared  away  some  small  timber  that  is  fine  stuff  in 
itself,  if  the  great  trees  stand  out  the  better,  the  experiment 
may  be  forgiven.  In  attempting  it  I  have  introduced,  I 
think,  not  more  than  a  hundred  words  of  my  own,  but  in 


xii         THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

certain  places  I  have  taken  over  the  readings  devised  half 
a  century  ago  for  the  well-known  Globe  edition  by  Sir 
Edward  Strachey,  which  has  justified  itself  by  passing 
through  some  twenty  editions,  and  has  probably  brought 
Malory  more  readers  than  all  other  texts  put  together. 

ALFRED  W.  POLLARD. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Of  the  birth  of  King  Arthur  and  of  his  nurture  i 

Of  the  death  of  King  Uther  Pendragon,  and  how  Arthur  was  chosen  king  .  6 

How  King  Arthur  was  crowned,  and  how  he  made  officers  and  held  a  great 

feast,  and  of  the  war  that  he  had,  and  how  he  held  the  field    .  .  1 1 

Of  King  Arthur  and  King  Pellinore  and  how  Arthur  sent  tor  his  mother     .  15 

How  Arthur  fought  with  King  Pellinore   and  how  Merlin  saved  Arthur's 

life,  and  Arthur  by  the  mean  of  Merlin  gat  his  sword  Excalibur  .  19 

How  King  Arthur  wedded  Guenever,  daughter  to  Leodegrance,  king  of 
the  land  of  Cameliard,  with  whom  he  had  the  Round  Table,  and  how 
Tor  and  Gawaine  were  made  knights  .  .  .  .25 

How  Merlin  was  assotted  and  doted  on  one  of  the  ladies  of  the  lake,  and 

how  he  was  shut  in  a  rock  under  a  stone  and  there  died  .  .         30 

How  King  Arthur,  King  Uriens,  and  Sir  Accolon  of  Gaul,  chased  an  hart, 
and  of  their  marvellous  adventures,  and  how  King  Arthur  and  Accolon 
took  upon  them  to  do  battle   ......  32 

Of  the  battle  between  King  Arthur  and  Accolon,  and  how  Accolon  con- 
fessed the  treason  of  Morgan  le  Fay    .  .  .  .  -37 

How  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  made  great  sorrow  for  the  death  oi  Accolon, 
and  how  she  stole  away  the  scabbard  from  Arthur,  and  of  the  mantle 
she  sent  to  him  .......         44 

xiii 


xiv        THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 


©f  g>iv  Hauncelot 

PAGE 

How  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lionel  departed  from  the  court,  and  how  Sir 
Lionel  was  taken,  and  how  four  queens  found  Sir  Launcelot  sleeping 
and  led  him  to  a  castle  ......         48 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  delivered  by  the  mean  of  a  damosel,  and  fought  for 

her  father,  King  Bagdemagus,  in  a  tournament  .  .  .52 

How  Sir  Launcelot  fought  with  Sir  Turquine  and  slew  him,  and  sent  Sir 

Gaheris  to  deliver  all  Sir  Turquine's  prisoners  .  .  .56 

How  Sir  Launcelot  rode  with  a  damosel  and  slew  a  knight  that  distressed 

all  ladies  and  how  he  delivered  Sir  Kay  .  .  .  .61 

How  Sir  Launcelot  rode  disguised  in  Sir  Kay's  harness  and  overthrew  four 
knights  of  the  Round  Table,  and  how  he  was  required  of  a  damosel  to 
heal  her  brother  .......         65 

How  Sir  Launcelot  came  into  the  Chapel  Perilous  and  how  he  healed  the 

damosel's  brother  and  returned  to  King  Arthur's  court  .  .         68 


@i  Sir  ffiaretfj 

How  Beaumains  came  to  King  Arthur's  court  and  asked  three  gifts  of  King 
Arthur,  and  of  a  damosel  that  desired  a  knight  to  fight  for  a  lady,  and 
how  Beaumains  desired  the  battle       .  .  .  .  .72 

How  Beaumains  departed,  and  how  he  gat  of  Sir  Kay  a  spear  and  a  shield, 

and  how  he  jousted  with  Sir  Launcelot,  and  of  him  was  dubbed  knight         77 

How  Beaumains  fought  and  slew  two  knights  at  a  passage,  and  how  he  slew 

also  the  Knight  of  the  Black  Launds  .  .  .  .  .80 

How  two  brothers  of  the  Black  Knight  met  with  Beaumains,  and  fought 
with  Beaumains  till  they  were  yielden,  and  how  the  damosel  still 
rebuked  him  ........         84 

How  Sir  Beaumains  answered  the  damosel  patiently,  and  how  he  fought 
with  the  fourth  brother,  Sir  Persant  of  Inde,  and  made  him  to  be 
yolden  ........         90 

Of  the  goodly  communication  between  Sir  Persant  and  Beaumains,  and  how 
the  lady  that  was  besieged  had  word  from  her  sister  that  she  had 
brought  a  knight  to  fight  for  her  .  .  .  .  .94 


CONTENTS  xv 


PAGE 


How  Beaumains  blew  a  horn,  and  then  the  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds  came 
to  fight  with  him,  and  how  Beaumains  made  him  yield  to  the  lady  and 
go  unto  King  Arthur's  court  and  cry  Sir  Launcelot  mercy,  and  of  the 
troth  plight  of  Beaumains  and  the  lady  .  .  .  .96 

How  the  Queen  of  Orkney  came   to  King  Arthur's  court,  and  how  King 

Arthur  sent  for  Dame  Lionesse  and  of  the  tourney  held  at  her  castle   .        103 

How  Sir  Gareth  came  to  a  castle  where  he  was  well  lodged,  and  how  he 
jousted  with  the  lord  of  the  castle,  and  how  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gawaine 
fought  each  against  other  and  knew  each  other  by  the  damosel  Linet  .        109 

Of  the  wedding  of  Sir  Gareth  and  Dame  Lionesse  and  of  the  officers  made 

at  the  feast      .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .113 


©f  Sir  Eristram 

How  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones  was  born,  and  how  his  mother  died  at  his 
birth,  wherefore  she  named  him  Tristram,  and  how  his  stepmother 
would  have  poisoned  him  and  how  he  was  sent  into  France     .  .        118 

How  Sir  Marhaus  came  out  of  Ireland  for  to  ask  truage  of  Cornwall,  and 

how  Sir  Tristram  enterprized  to  fight  with  him  .  .  .123 

How  Sir  Tristram  fought  against  Sir  Marhaus  and  achieved  his  battle,  and 

how  Sir  Marhaus  fled  to  his  ship         .  .  .  .  .126 

How  Sir  Tristram  went  to  Ireland  to  be  healed  of  the  poison  of  his  wound 
and  there  was  put  to  the  keeping  of  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  how  he  won 
the  degree  at  a  tournament  and  made  Sir  Palamides  bear  no  harness 
of  war  for  a  year  .  .  .  .  .  .  .129 

How  the  queen  espied  that  Sir  Tristram  had  slain  her  brother  Sir  Marhaus 
by  his  sword,  and  in  what  jeopardy  he  was,  and  how  the  king  suffered 
him  to  return  to  Cornwall       .  .  .  .  .  .134 

How  King  Mark  sent  Sir  Tristram  for  La  Beale  Isoud  toward  Ireland,  and 
how  by  fortune  he  arrived  into  England,  and  fought  for  King  Anguish 
against  Sir  Blamore     .  .  .  .  .  .  .137 

How  Sir  Tristram  demanded  La  Beale  Isoud  for  King  Mark,  and  how  Sir 
Tristram  and  Isoud  drank  the  love  drink,  and  how  Sir  Tristram 
rescued  Isoud  from  Sir  Palamides         .  .  .  .  .144. 

Of  the  debate  of  King  Mark  and  Sir  Tristram,  and  how  Sir  Tristram  smote 
down  Sir  Lamorak,  and  in  despite  of  Sir  Tristram  Sir  Lamorak  sent 
an  horn  to  King  Mark  .  .  .  .  .  .151 


xvi         THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 


PAGE 


How  Sir  Tristram  was  taken  with  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  how  he  escaped  to 

Brittany  and  served  in  war  King  Howel  .  .  .  .155 

How  Sir  Tristram  was  married  to  King  Howel's  daughter,  Isoud  La 
Blanche  Mains,  and  how  he  returned  to  Cornwall  and  of  the  love  of 
Sir  Kehydius  for  La  Beale  Isoud  .  .  .  .  .159 

How  Sir  Tristram  departed  from  Tintagil,  and  how  he  sorrowed  and  was 
so  long  in  a  forest  till  he  was  out  of  his  mind,  and  it  was  noised  that 
he  was  dead,  and  how  La  Beale  Isoud  would  have  slain  herself  .       161 

How  Sir  Tristram  slew  the  giant  Tauleas,  and  how  King  Mark  found 
Sir  Tristram  naked,  and  caused  him  to  be  borne  to  Tintagil,  and  how 
he  was  known  by  a  brachet  and  was  banished  from  Cornwall  for  the 
term  of  ten  years         .  .  .  .  .  .  .       1 64 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Dinadan  fought  for  Sir  Launcelot  against  thirty 
knights,  and  how  Sir  Tristram  rode  to  a  tournament  and  lodged  with 
an  old  knight  named  Sir  Pellounes,  and  of  the  jousting  before  the 
tournament     .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .168 

How  Sir  Launcelot  jousted  with  Palomides  and  overthrew  him,  and  after 

he  was  assailed  with  twelve  knights     .  .  .  .  1 74. 

Of  the  tournament  at  the  Castle  of  Maidens,  and  of  how  Sir  Tristram,  Sir 

Palomides,  and  Sir  Launcelot  behaved  them   .  .  .  .176 

Of  the  rage  of  Sir  Palomides  for  despite  of  Sir  Tristram,  and  how  Sir 
Tristram,  Sir  Dinadan,  and  Sir  Palomides  lodged  with  Sir  Darras,  and 
how  Sir  Darras  put  them  in  his  prison  for  the  death  of  his  sons,  but  at 
the  last  he  let  them  go  ......       185 

How  Sir  Tristram  saved  Sir  Palomides'  life,  and  how  they  promised  to 
fight  together  within  a  fortnight,  and  how  they  were  both  smitten 
down  by  a  strong  knight  .  .  .  .  .  .188 

How  Sir  Tristram  met  at  the  Peron  with  Sir  Launcelot,  and  how  they 
fought  together  unknown,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  brought  Sir  Tristram 
to  the  court,  and  of  the  great  joy  that  the  king  and  other  made  for 
the  coming  of  Sir  Tristram     .  .  .  .  .  .194. 

How  for  the  despite  of  Sir  Tristram  King  Mark  came  with  two  knights 
into  England,  and  how  he  slew  one  of  the  knights,  and  how  he  was 
scorned  by  Sir  Lamorak  and  Sir  Dinadan  .  .  .  .198 

How  King  Mark  slew  Sir  Amant  wrongfully  to-fore  King  Arthur,  and  Sir 

Launcelot  fetched  King  Mark  again  to  King  Arthur    .  .  .       202 


CONTENTS  xvii 

PAGE 

How  King  Arthur  made  a  jousting,  and  how  Sir  Lamorak  came  in,  and 
overthrew  Sir  Gawaine,  and  how  King  Arthur  made  King  Mark  to  be 
accorded  with  Sir  Tristram  and  they  rode  together  to  Cornwall  .        204 

How  Sir  Percivale  was   made  knight  of  King  Arthur,  and  how  a  dumb 

maid  spake,  and  brought  him  to  the  Round  Table       .  .  .       208 

How  at  a  great  feast  that  King  Mark  made  an  harper  came  and  sang  a  lay 

of  Sir  Dinadan's  against  King  Mark     .....        210 

How  by  treason  Sir  Tristram  was  brought  to  a  tournament  for  to  have 
been  slain,  and  how  he  was  put  in  prison,  and  how  he  and  La  Beale 
Isoud  came  to  England  and  were  lodged  by  Sir  Launcelot  at  Joyous 
Gard  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .213 

How  by  the  counsel  of  La  Beale  Isoud  Sir  Tristram  rode  armed,  and  how 
he  met  with  Sir  Palomides,  and  Sir  Breuse  Saunce  Pite  beguiled  three 
good  knights   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .218 

How  Sir  Tristram  met  with  Sir  Dinadan,  and  of  their  devices,  and  how  Sir 
Dinadan  was  sent  for  by  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  how  Sir  Tristram  in 
jousting  with  Sir  Palomides  was  known  by  Sir  Dinadan  .  .        223 

How  they  approached  the  Castle  Lonazep,  and  how  they  talked  of  the 
death  of  Sir  Lamorak,  and  how  on  Humber  Bank  they  found  a  ship, 
wherein  lay  the  body  of  King  Hermance  .  .  .  .230 

How  Palomides  went  for  to  fight  with  two  brethren  for  the  death  of  King 

Hermance,  and  slew  them,  and  came  unto  Joyous  Gard  .  .       233 

Of  the  tournament  at  Lonazep,  and  how  the  prize  on  the  first  day  was 

given  to  Sir  Palomides  ......       241 

How  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  came  to  see  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  how 
Palomides  smote  down  King  Arthur,  and  of  the  second  day  of  the 
tournament  and  of  the  treason  of  Sir  Palomides  to  Sir  Tristram  .       248 

How  Sir  Tristram  departed  with  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  how  Palomides 
followed  and  excused  him,  and  how  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot 
came  unto  their  pavilions  as  they  sat  at  supper,  and  of  Sir  Palomides   .        257 

How  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  did  the  third  day  of  the  tournament, 
and  how  Sir  Tristram  turned  to  King  Arthur's  side,  and  of  the  sorrow 
of  Sir  Palomides  .......       262 

How  on  a  day  Sir  Tristram  departed  unarmed  and  met  with  Sir  Palomides, 
and  how  they  smote  each  other,  and  how  Sir  Palomides  forbare  him, 
and  how  Sir  Tristram  gat  harness  of  a  hurt  knight  and  overthrew  Sir 
Palomides  and  made  him  be  christened  ....        266 


xx         THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 


©t  ILauncelot,  ffiuraeber,  anli  Htng  &rtfjur 

PAGE 

How  Launcelot  fell  to  his  old  love  again,  but  withdrew  him  from 
Guenever  to  eschew  slander,  and  how  the  queen  commanded  him  to 
avoid  the  court  .......        377 

How  at  a  dinner  that  the  queen  made  there  was  a  knight  enpoisoned, 
which  Sir  Mador  laid  on  the  queen,  and  appeached  her  for  it  and  how 
Sir  Bors  took  on  him  to  fight  for  the  queen  upon  condition     .  .380 

How  at  the  day  Sir  Bors  made  him  ready  for  to  fight  for  the  queen, 
but  Sir  Launcelot  discharged  him,  and  overcame  Sir  Mador,  and  how 
the  truth  was  known  by  the  damosel  of  the  lake  .  .  385 

How  King  Arthur  let  cry  a  tournament  at  Camelot  or  Winchester,  and 
how  Sir  Launcelot,  riding  thither,  lodged  at  Astolat,  and  received  a 
sleeve  to  wear  on  his  helm  at  request  of  a  maid  .  .  .        390 

Of  the  tourney  at  Winchester,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  was  sore  wounded    .       394 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  brought  to  an  hermit  for  to  be  healed,  and  how 
it  became  known  that  it  was  he  that  bare  the  red  sleeve,  and  of  the 
anger  of  the  queen      .......        398 

How  the  maiden  Elaine  did  attendance  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  of  her 
lamentation  that  he  should  depart,  and  how  she  died  for  his  love,  and 
how  her  body  was  brought  to  the  court  and  of  her  burying      .  .       404 

How  Sir  Launcelot  went  to  repose  him  at  a  hermitage,  and  how  he  was  hurt 

of  a  gentlewoman,  and  of  a  great  tourney  ordained  by  King  Arthur     .       411 

Of  the  month  of  May  and  of  true  lovers,  and  how  Queen  Guenever  rode 
a-Maying  with  certain  knights  of  the  Round  Table,  and  clad  all  in 
green,  and  how  Sir  Meliagrance  took  the  queen  and  her  knights  .       418 

How  Sir  Launcelot  had  word  how  the  queen  was  taken,  and  how  Sir 
Meliagrance  laid  a  bushment  for  Launcelot,  so  that  his  horse  was 
slain,  and  he  rode  in  a  cart  to  save  the  queen  .  .  .  .423 

How  Sir  Meliagrance  required  forgiveness  of  the  queen,  and  how  she 
appeased  Sir  Launcelot,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  came  in  the  night  to 
the  queen,  and  how  Sir  Meliagrance  appeached  her  of  treason  .       427 

How  Sir  Launcelot  answered  for  the  queen,  to  wage  battle  against  Sir 
Meliagrance  ;  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  was  taken  in  a  trap,  but  was 
delivered  of  a  lady,  and  how  he  fought  with  Sir  Meliagrance,  half 
unarmed,  and  slew  him  ......       432 

How  Sir  Urre  came  into  Arthur's  court  for  to  be  healed  of  his  wounds  by 

the  best  knight  of  the  world,  and  how  he  was  healed  by  Sir  Launcelot       439 


CONTENTS  xxi 

PAGE 

How  Sir  Agravaine  and   Sir   Mordred   were   busy  upon  Sir  Gawaine  for 

to  disclose  the  love  between  Sir  Launcelot  and  Queen  Guenever  .       444 

How   Sir   Launcelot   was    espied   in    the   queen's   chamber,  and    how    Sir 

Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  came  with  twelve  knights  to  slay  him         .       448 

Of  the  counsel  and  advice  that  was  taken  by  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  friends 

for  to  save  the  queen  .  .  .  .  .  .452 

How  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  kinsmen  rescued  the  queen  from  the  fire,  and 

how  he  slew  many  knights,  and  of  the  sorrow  of  King  Arthur .  .457 

How  King  Arthur  at  the  request  of  Sir  Gawaine  concluded  to  make  war 

against  Sir  Launcelot,  and  laid  siege  to  his  castle  called  Joyous  Gard    .       461 

How  the  Pope  sent  down  his  bulls  to  make  peace,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot 

brought  the  queen  to  King  Arthur       .....       470 

How  Sir  Launcelot  departed  from  the  King  and  from  Joyous  Gard  over 
seaward,  and  how  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Gawaine  with  a  great  host 
made  war  on  Sir  Launcelot     ......       474 

How  Sir  Mordred  took  on  him  to  be  king  of  England,  and  how  King 
Arthur  returned  to  Dover,  and  of  the  battle  there,  and  how  Sir 
Gawaine  was  slain       .......       480 

How  Sir  Gawaine's  ghost  appeared  to  King  Arthur,  and  warned  him  not 
to  fight  on  the  day  assigned,  and  how  by  misadventure  of  an  adder  a 
battle  began,  where  Mordred  was  slain  and  Arthur  hurt  to  the  death  .       484 

How  King  Arthur  commanded  to  cast  his  sword  Excalibur  into  the  water, 
and  how  he  was  delivered  to  ladies  in  a  barge,  and  as  to  the  death  of 
King  Arthur,  and  how  Queen  Guenever  made  her  a  nun  .  .       487 

How  when  Sir  Launcelot  heard  of  the  death  of  King  Arthur,  he  came  to 
England,  and  found  Queen  Guenever  at  Almesbury,  and  how  Sir 
Launcelot  took  the  habit  on  him  as  a  hermit    .  .  .  .491 

How  Sir  Launcelot  went  with  his  eight  fellows  to  Almesbury,  and  found 
there  Queen  Guenever  dead,  whom  they  brought  to  Glastonbury,  and 
how  Sir  Launcelot  sickened  and  died,  and  was  borne  to  Joyous  Gard 
for  to  be  buried,  and  how  Constantine  reigned  next  after  Arthur, 
and  of  the  end  of  this  book     ......       497 

Glossary  .........       505 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

IN  COLOUR 

FACE  PAGE 

How  Arthur  drew  his  sword  Excalibur  for  the  first  time  (page  14.) .  Frontispiece 
Merlin  and  Nimue.     How  by  her  subtle  working  she  made  Merlin  to  go 

under  the  stone  to  let  her  wit  of  the  marvels  there  :  and  she  wrought 

so  there  for  him  that  he  came  never  out  for  all  the  craft  he  could  do  .  30 

How  Sir  Launcelot  slew  the  knight  Sir  Peris  de  Forest  Savage  that  did 

distress  ladies,  damosels,  and  gentlewomen        .  .  .  .62 

How  Beaumains  defeated  the  Red  Knight,  and  always  the  damosel  spake 

many  foul  words  unto  him       ......  88 

How  Dame  Lionesse  came  forth  arrayed  like  a  princess       .  .  .102 

How  Tristram  and  Isoud  drank  the  love  drink        ....        144 

How  Tristram  was  known  by  the  little  brachet  in  the  garden  of  King 

Mark's  castle  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .166 

How  at  a  great  feast  that  King  Mark  made  came  Eliot  the  harper  and  sang 

the  lay  that  Dinadan  had  made  .  .  .  .  .212 

The  Questing  Beast  .  .  .  .  .  .  .218 

How  Sir  Launcelot  fought  with  a  fiendly  dragon     ....        274 

How  at  the  Castle  of  Corbin  a  maiden  bare  in  the  Sangreal  and  foretold 

the  achievements  of  Galahad  .  .  .  .  .  .278 

How  Galahad  drew  out  the  sword  from  the  floating  stone  at  Camelot  .        316 

How  King  Arthur  and  Queen  Guenever  went  to  see  the  barge  that  bore 

the  corpse  of  Elaine  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  .  .  .       408 

xxiii 


xxiv     THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

FACE  PAGE 

How  Sir  Launcelot  was  shot  by  a  gentlewoman  hunting     .  .  .412 

How  Queen  Guenever  rode  a-Maying  into  the  woods  and  fields  beside 

Westminster   ........       420 

How  Mordred  was  slain  by  Arthur  and  how  by  him  Arthur  was  hurt  to  the 

death  ........       486 


IN  BLACK  AND  WHITE 

So  the  child  was  delivered  to  Merlin            .....  6 

How  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  stole  away  the  scabbard  from  Arthur  .  .  45 
When  she  saw  she  must  be  overtaken,  she  shaped  herself,  horse  and  man, 

by  enchantment  unto  a  great  marble  stone       .  .  .  .46 

Sir  Beaumains  espied  upon  great  trees  how  there  hung  full  goodly  armed 

knights  by  the  neck    .......  97 

Dagonet,  King  Arthur's  fool           .             .             .             .             .             .  162 

They  saw  on  the  other  side  a  lady  with  a  sperhawk  on  her  hand  .  .  305 
Sir  Mordred  went  and  laid  a  mighty  siege  about  the  Tower  of  London,  and 

shot  great  guns             .             .             .             .             .             .             .  48 1 


OF  KING  ARTHUR 


OF  THE  BIRTH  OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  OF 
HIS  NURTURE.  It  befell  in  the  days  of  Uther 
Pendragon,  when  he  was  king  of  all  England,  and 
so  reigned,  that  there  was  a  mighty  duke  in  Cornwall  that 
held  war  against  him  long  time.  And  the  duke  was  called 
the  Duke  of  Tintagil.  And  so  by  means  King  Uther  sent 
for  this  duke,  charging  him  to  bring  his  wife  with  him,  for 
she  was  called  a  fair  lady,  and  a  passing  wise,  and  her  name 
was  called  Igraine. 

So  when  the  duke  and  his  wife  were  come  unto  the 
king,  by  the  means  of  great  lords  they  were  accorded  both. 
The  king  liked  and  loved  this  lady  well,  and  he  made  them 
great  cheer  out  of  measure,  and  desired  to  have  had  her  love. 
But  she  was  a  passing  good  woman,  and  would  not  assent 
unto  the  king.     And  then  she  told  the  duke  her  husband, 


2  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

and  said,  I  suppose  that  we  were  sent  for  that  I  should  be 
dishonoured  ;  wherefore,  husband,  I  counsel  you,  that  we 
depart  ^from  hence  suddenly,  that  we  may  ride  all  night 
unto  our  own  castle.  And  in  like  wise  as  she  said  so  they 
departed,  that  neither  the  king  nor  none  of  his  council  were 
ware  of  their  departing.  All  so  soon  as  King  Uther  knew 
of  their  departing  so  suddenly,  he  was  wonderly  wroth. 
Then  he  called  to  him  his  privy  council,  and  told  them  of 
the  sudden  departing  of  the  duke  and  his  wife. 

Then  they  advised  the  king  to  send  for  the  duke  and 
his  wife  by  a  great  charge  ;  and  if  he  will  not  come  at  your 
summons,  then  may  ye  do  your  best,  then  have  ye  cause 
to  make  mighty  war  upon  him.  So  that  was  done,  and 
the  messengers  had  their  answers  ;  and  that  was  this  shortly, 
that  neither  he  nor  his  wife  would  not  come  at  him. 

Then  was  the  king  wonderly  wroth.  And  then  the 
king  sent  him  plain  word  again,  and  bade  him  be  ready 
and  stuff  him  and  garnish  him,  for  within  forty  days  he 
would  fetch  him  out  of  the  biggest  castle  that  he  hath. 

When  the  duke  had  this  warning,  anon  he  went  and 
furnished  and  garnished  two  strong  castles  of  his,  of  the 
which  the  one  hight  Tintagil,  and  the  other  castle  hight 
Terrabil.  So  his  wife  Dame  Igraine  he  put  in  the  castle 
of  Tintagil,  and  himself  he  put  in  the  castle  of  Terrabil, 
the  which  had  many  issues  and  posterns  out.  Then  in  all 
haste  came  Uther  with  a  great  host,  and  laid  a  siege  about 
the  castle  of  Terrabil.  Then  for  pure  anger  and  for  great 
love  of  fair  Igraine  the  king  Uther  fell  sick.  So  came  to 
the  king  Uther  Sir  Ulfius,  a  noble  knight,  and  asked  the 
king  why  he  was  sick.  I  shall  tell  thee,  said  the  king,  I  am 
sick  for  anger  and  for  love  of  fair  Igraine,  that  I  may  not 
be  whole.     Well,   my  lord,  said   Sir  Ulfius,   I   shall  seek 


HOW  UTHER  PENDRAGON  MADE  WAR   3 

Merlin,  and  he  shall  do  you  remedy,  that  your  heart  shall 
be  pleased.  So  Ulfius  departed,  and  by  adventure  he  met 
Merlin  in  a  beggar's  array,  and  there  Merlin  asked  Ulfius 
whom  he  sought.  And  he  said  he  had  little  ado  to  tell 
him.  Well,  said  Merlin,  I  know  whom  thou  seekest,  for 
thou  seekest  Merlin  ;  therefore  seek  no  farther,  for  I  am 
he  ;  and  if  King  Uther  will  well  reward  me,  and  be  sworn 
unto  me  to  fulfil  my  desire,  that  shall  be  his  honour  and 
profit  more  than  mine  ;  for  I  shall  cause  him  to  have  all  his 
desire.  All  this  will  I  undertake,  said  Ulfius,  that  there  shall 
be  nothing  reasonable  but  thou  shalt  have  thy  desire.  Well, 
said  Merlin,  he  shall  have  his  intent  and  desire.  And  therefore, 
said  Merlin,  ride  on  your  way,  for  I  will  not  be  long  behind. 
Then  Ulfius  was  glad,  and  rode  on  more  than  a  pace  till 
that  he  came  to  King  Uther  Pendragon,  and  told  him  he 
had  met  with  Merlin.  Where  is  he  ?  said  the  king.  Sir, 
said  Ulfius,  he  will  not  dwell  long.  Therewithal  Ulfius 
was  ware  where  Merlin  stood  at  the  porch  of  the  pavilion's 
door.  And  then  Merlin  was  bound  to  come  to  the  king. 
When  King  Uther  saw  him,  he  said  he  was  welcome.  Sir, 
said  Merlin,  I  know  all  your  heart  every  deal  ;  so  ye  will 
be  sworn  unto  me,  as  ye  be  a  true  king  anointed,  to  fulfil 
my  desire,  ye  shall  have  your  desire.  Then  the  king  was 
sworn  upon  the  Four  Evangelists.  Sir,  said  Merlin,  this 
is  my  desire :  after  that  ye  shall  win  Igraine  ye  shall  have 
a  child  by  her,  and  when  that  is  born,  that  it  shall  be 
delivered  to  me  for  to  nourish  there  as  I  will  have  it  ;  for 
it  shall  be  your  worship,  and  the  child's  avail,  as  mickle 
as  the  child  is  worth.  I  will  well,  said  the  king,  as  thou 
wilt  have  it.  Now  make  you  ready,  said  Merlin,  this 
night  ye  shall  be  with  Igraine  in  the  castle  of  Tintagil  ; 
and  ye  shall  be  like  the  duke  her  husband,  Ulfius  shall  be 


4  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

like  Sir  Brastias,  a  knight  of  the  duke's,  and  I  will  be  like 
a  knight  that  hight  Sir  Jordanus,  a  knight  of  the  duke's. 
But  wait  ye  make  not  many  questions  with  her  nor  her 
men,  but  say  ye  are  diseased,  and  so  hie  you  to  bed,  and 
rise  not  on  the  morn  till  I  come  to  you,  for  the  castle  of 
Tintagil  is  but  ten  miles  hence  ;  so  this  was  done  as  they 
devised.  But  the  duke  of  Tintagil  espied  how  the  king 
rode  from  the  siege  of  Terrabil,  and  therefore  that  night  he 
issued  out  of  the  castle  at  a  postern,  for  to  have  distressed  the 
king's  host.  And  so,  through  his  own  issue,  the  duke  himself 
was  slain  or  ever  the  king  came  at  the  castle  of  Tintagil. 

So  after  the  death  of  the  duke,  King  Uther  came  to 
the  castle  more  than  three  hours  after  his  death,  and  there 
he  found  Igraine,  and  before  day  came  Merlin  to  the 
king,  and  bade  him  make  him  ready,  and  so  he  kissed  the 
lady  Igraine  and  departed  in  all  haste.  But  when  the  lady 
heard  tell  of  the  duke  her  husband,  and  by  all  record  he 
was  dead  or  ever  King  Uther  came  to  her,  then  she  mar- 
velled who  that  might  be  that  came  to  her  in  likeness  of 
her  lord  ;  so  she  mourned  privily  and  held  her  peace. 
Then  all  the  barons  by  one  assent  prayed  the  king  of  accord 
betwixt  the  lady  Igraine  and  him  ;  the  king  gave  them 
leave,  for  fain  would  he  have  been  accorded  with  her.  So 
the  king  put  all  the  trust  in  Ulfius  to  entreat  between  them, 
so  by  the  entreaty  at  the  last  the  king  and  she  met  together. 
Now  will  we  do  well,  said  Ulfius,  our  king  is  a  lusty  knight 
and  wifeless,  and  my  lady  Igraine  is  a  passing  fair  lady  ; 
it  were  great  joy  unto  us  all,  an  it  might  please  the  king  to 
make  her  his  queen.  Unto  that  they  all  well  accorded 
and  moved  it  to  the  king.  And  anon,  like  a  lusty  knight, 
he  assented  thereto  with  good  will,  and  so  in  all  haste  they 
were  married  in  a  morning  with  great  mirth  and  joy. 


OF  THE  BIRTH  OF  KING  ARTHUR  5 

And  King  Lot  of  Lothian  and  of  Orkney  then  wedded 
Margawse  that  was  Gawaine's  mother,  and  King  Nentres 
of  the  land  of  Garlot  wedded  Elaine.  All  this  was  done 
at  the  request  of  King  Uther.  And  the  third  sister  Morgan 
le  Fay  was  put  to  school  in  a  nunnery,  and  there  she  learned 
so  much  that  she  was  a  great  clerk  of  necromancy.  And 
after  she  was  wedded  to  King  Uriens  of  the  land  of  Gore. 

Then  the  time  came  that  Queen  Igraine  should  bear  a 
child.  So  it  befell  after  within  half  a  year,  as  King  Uther  was 
with  his  queen,  he  asked  her,  by  the  faith  she  owed  to  him, 
whose  was  the  child  that  should  be  born  ;  then  was  she  sore 
abashed  to  give  answer.  Dismay  you  not,  said  the  king,  but 
tell  me  the  truth,  and  I  shall  love  you  the  better,  by  the  faith 
of  my  body.  Sir,  said  she,  I  shall  tell  you  the  truth.  The 
same  night  that  my  lord  was  dead,  the  hour  of  his  death,  as 
his  knights  record,  there  came  into  my  casde  of  Tintagil  a 
man  like  my  lord  in  speech  and  in  countenance,  and  two 
knights  with  him  in  likeness  of  his  two  knights  Brastias 
and  Jordanus,  and  so  I  welcomed  him  as  I  ought  to  welcome 
my  lord,  and  the  same  night,  as  I  shall  answer  unto  God, 
this  child  was  begotten.  That  is  truth,  said  the  king,  as  ye 
say  ;  for  it  was  I  myself  that  came  in  the  likeness,  and 
therefore  dismay  you  not,  for  I  am  father  of  the  child  ;  and 
there  he  told  her  all  the  cause,  how  it  was  by  Merlin's  counsel. 
Then  the  queen  made  great  joy  when  she  knew  who  was 
the  father  of  her  child. 

Soon  came  Merlin  unto  the  king,  and  said,  Sir,  ye  must 
purvey  you  for  the  nourishing  of  your  child.  As  thou 
wilt,  said  the  king,  be  it.  Well,  said  Merlin,  I  know  a 
lord  of  yours  in  this  land,  that  is  a  passing  true  man  and  a 
faithful,  and  he  shall  have  the  nourishing  of  your  child, 
and  his  name  is  Sir  Ector,  and  he  is  a  lord  of  fair  livelihood 


6 


OF  KING  ARTHUR 


in  many  parts  in  England  and  Wales  ;  and  this  lord,  Sir 
Ector,  let  him  be  sent  for,  for  to  come  and  speak  with  you, 
and  desire  him  yourself,  as  he  loveth  you,  that  he  will  put 
his  own  child  to  nourishing  to  another  woman,  and  that 
his  wife  nourish  yours.  And  when  the  child  is  born  let  it 
be  delivered  to  me  at  yonder  privy  postern  unchristened. 
So  like  as  Merlin  devised  it  was  done.  And  when  Sir 
Ector  was  come  he  made  fiaunce  to  the  king  for  to  nourish 
the  child  like  as  the  king  desired  ;  and  there  the  king 
granted  Sir  Ector  great  rewards.  Then  when  the  lady 
was  delivered,  the  king  commanded  two  knights  and  two 
ladies  to  take  the  child,  bound  in  a  cloth  of  gold,  and  that 
ye  deliver  him  to  what  poor  man  ye  meet  at  the  postern 
gate  of  the  castle.  So  the  child  was  delivered  unto  Merlin, 
and  so  he  bare  it  forth  unto  Sir  Ector,  and  made  an  holy 
man  to  christen  him,  and  named  him  Arthur  ;  and  so  Sir 
Ector's  wife  nourished  him  with  her  own  breast. 


OF  THE  DEATH  OF  KING  UTHER 
PENDRAGON,  AND  HOW  ARTHUR 
WAS  CHOSEN  KING.  Then  within 
two  years  King  Uther  fell  sick  of  a 
great  malady.  And  in  the  meanwhile  his 
enemies  usurped  upon  him,  and  did  a 
great  battle  upon  his  men,  and  slew  many 
of  his  people.  Sir,  said  Merlin,  ye  may 
not  lie  so  as  ye  do,  for  ye  must  to  the  field 
though  ye  ride  on  an  horse-litter  :  for  ye 
shall  never  have  the  better  of  your  enemies  but  if  your  person 
be  there,  and  then  shall  ye  have  the  victory.  So  it  was  done 
as  Merlin  had  devised,  and  they  carried  the  king  forth  in  an 
horse-litter  with  a  great  host  towards  his  enemies.     And  at 


L   ?    ■K3ffl]ft/Vi* 

HOW  ARTHUR  WAS  CHOSEN  KING  7 

St.  Albans  there  met  with  the  king  a  great  host  of  the  North. 
And  that  day  Sir  Ulfius  and  Sir  Brastias  did  great  deeds  of 
arms,  and  King  Uther's  men  overcame  the  Northern  battle 
and  slew  many  people,  and  put  the  remnant  to  flight.  And 
then  the  king  returned  unto  London,  and  made  great  joy 
of  his  victory.  And  then  he  fell  passing  sore  sick,  so  that 
three  days  and  three  nights  he  was  speechless  :  wherefore 
all  the  barons  made  great  sorrow,  and  asked  Merlin  what 
counsel  were  best.  There  is  none  other  remedy,  said  Merlin, 
but  God  will  have  his  will.  But  look  ye  all  barons  be  before 
King  Uther  to-morn,  and  God  and  I  shall  make  him  to 
speak.  So  on  the  morn  all  the  barons  with  Merlin  came 
to-fore  the  king  ;  then  Merlin  said  aloud  unto  King  Uther, 
Sir,  shall  your  son  Arthur  be  king  after  your  days,  of  this 
realm  with  all  the  appurtenance  ?  Then  Uther  Pendragon 
turned  him,  and  said  in  hearing  of  them  all,  I  give  him  God's 
blessing  and  mine,  and  bid  him  pray  for  my  soul,  and 
righteously  and  worshipfully  that  he  claim  the  crown,  upon 
forfeiture  of  my  blessing ;  and  therewith  he  yielded  up 
the  ghost,  and  then  was  he  interred  as  longed  to  a  king. 
Wherefore  the  queen,  fair  Igraine,  made  great  sorrow,  and 
all  the  barons. 

Then  stood  the  realm  in  great  jeopardy  long  while,  for 
every  lord  that  was  mighty  of  men  made  him  strong,  and 
many  weened  to  have  been  king.  Then  Merlin  went  to 
the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  counselled  him  for  to 
send  for  all  the  lords  of  the  realm,  and  all  the  gentlemen 
of  arms,  that  they  should  to  London  come  by  Christmas, 
upon  pain  of  cursing  ;  and  for  this  cause,  that  Jesus,  that 
was  born  on  that  night,  that  he  would  of  his  great  mercy, 
as  he  was  come  to  be  king  of  mankind,  show  some  miracle 
who  should  be  rightwise  king  of  this  realm.     So  the  Arch- 


8  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

bishop,  by  the  advice  of  Merlin,  sent  for  all  the  lords  and 
gentlemen  of  arms  that  they  should  come  by  Christmas 
even  unto  London.  And  many  of  them  made  them  clean 
of  their  life,  that  their  prayer  might  be  the  more  acceptable 
unto  God.  So  in  the  greatest  church  of  London,  whether 
it  were  Paul's  or  not  the  French  book  maketh  no  mention, 
all  the  estates  were  long  ere  day  in  the  church  for  to  pray. 
And  when  matins  and  the  first  mass  was  done,  there  was 
seen  in  the  churchyard,  against  the  high  altar,  a  great  stone 
four  square,  like  unto  a  marble  stone  ;  and  in  midst  thereof 
was  like  an  anvil  of  steel  a  foot  on  high,  and  therein  stuck 
a  fair  sword  naked  by  the  point,  and  letters  there  were 
written  in  gold  about  the  sword  that  said  thus  : — Whoso 
pulleth  out  this  sword  of  this  stone  and  anvil,  is  rightwise 
king  born  of  all  England.  Then  the  people  marvelled, 
and  told  it  to  the  Archbishop.  I  command,  said  the  Arch- 
bishop, that  ye  keep  you  within  your  church  and  pray  unto 
God  still,  that  no  man  touch  the  sword  till  the  high  mass 
be  all  done.  So  when  all  masses  were  done  all  the  lords 
went  to  behold  the  stone  and  the  sword.  And  when  they 
saw  the  scripture  some  assayed,  such  as  would  have  been 
king.  But  none  might  stir  the  sword  nor  move  it.  He 
is  not  here,  said  the  Archbishop,  that  shall  achieve  the  sword, 
but  doubt  not  God  will  make  him  known.  But  this  is 
my  counsel,  said  the  Archbishop,  that  we  let  purvey  ten 
knights,  men  of  good  fame,  and  they  to  keep  this  sword. 
So  it  was  ordained,  and  then  there  was  made  a  cry,  that 
every  man  should  assay  that  would,  for  to  win  the  sword. 
And  upon  New  Year's  Day  the  barons  let  make  a  jousts 
and  a  tournament,  that  all  knights  that  would  joust  or 
tourney  there  might  play,  and  all  this  was  ordained  for  to 
keep  the  lords  together  and  the  commons,  for  the  Arch- 


HOW  HE  PULLED  OUT  THE  SWORD    9 

bishop    trusted    that   God   would    make   him   known    that 
should  win  the  sword. 

So  upon  New  Year's  Day,  when  the  service  was  done, 
the  barons  rode  unto  the  field,  some  to  joust  and  some  to 
tourney,  and  so  it  happed  that  Sir  Ector,  that  had  great 
livelihood  about  London,  rode  unto  the  jousts,  and  with 
him  rode  Sir  Kay  his  son,  and  young  Arthur  that  was  his 
nourished  brother  ;  and  Sir  Kay  was  made  knight  at  All 
Hallowmas  afore.  So  as  they  rode  to  the  jousts-ward, 
Sir  Kay  lost  his  sword,  for  he  had  left  it  at  his  father's  lodging, 
and  so  he  prayed  young  Arthur  for  to  ride  for  his  sword. 
I  will  well,  said  Arthur,  and  rode  fast  after  the  sword,  and 
when  he  came  home,  the  lady  and  all  were  out  to  see  the 
jousting.  Then  was  Arthur  wroth,  and  said  to  himself, 
I  will  ride  to  the  churchyard,  and  take  the  sword  with  me 
that  sticketh  in  the  stone,  for  my  brother  Sir  Kay  shall 
not  be  without  a  sword  this  day.  So  when  he  came  to 
the  churchyard,  Sir  Arthur  alighted  and  tied  his  horse  to 
the  stile,  and  so  he  went  to  the  tent,  and  found  no  knights 
there,  for  they  were  at  the  jousting.  And  so  he  handled 
the  sword  by  the  handles,  and  lightly  and  fiercely  pulled 
it  out  of  the  stone,  and  took  his  horse  and  rode  his  way 
until  he  came  to  his  brother  Sir  Kay,  and  delivered  him 
the  sword.  And  as  soon  as  Sir  Kay  saw  the  sword,  he  wist 
well  it  was  the  sword  of  the  stone,  and  so  he  rode  to  his 
father  Sir  Ector,  and  said  :  Sir,  lo  here  is  the  sword  of  the 
stone,  wherefore  I  must  be  king  of  this  land.  When  Sir 
Ector  beheld  the  sword,  he  returned  again  and  came  to  the 
church,  and  there  they  alighted  all  three,  and  went  into 
the  church.  And  anon  he  made  Sir  Kay  swear  upon  a 
book  how  he  came  to  that  sword.  Sir,  said  Sir  Kay,  by 
my  brother  Arthur,  for  he  brought  it  to  me.     How  gat 


io  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

ye  this  sword  ?  said  Sir  Ector  to  Arthur.  Sir,  I  will  tell 
you.  When  I  came  home  for  my  brother's  sword,  I  found 
nobody  at  home  to  deliver  me  his  sword  ;  and  so  I  thought 
my  brother  Sir  Kay  should  not  be  swordless,  and  so  I  came 
hither  eagerly  and  pulled  it  out  of  the  stone  without  any 
pain.  Found  ye  any  knights  about  this  sword  ?  said  Sir 
Ector.  Nay,  said  Arthur.  Now,  said  Sir  Ector  to  Arthur, 
I  understand  ye  must  be  king  of  this  land.  Wherefore  I, 
said  Arthur,  and  for  what  cause  ?  Sir,  said  Ector,  for 
God  will  have  it  so  ;  for  there  should  never  man  have 
drawn  out  this  sword,  but  he  that  shall  be  rightwise  king 
of  this  land.  Now  let  me  see  whether  ye  can  put  the  sword 
there  as  it  was,  and  pull  it  out  again.  That  is  no  mastery, 
said  Arthur,  and  so  he  put  it  in  the  stone  ;  wherewithal 
Sir  Ector  assayed  to  pull  out  the  sword  and  failed. 

Now  assay,  said  Sir  Ector  unto  Sir  Kay.  And  anon 
he  pulled  at  the  sword  with  all  his  might ;  but  it  would  not 
be.  Now  shall  ye  assay,  said  Sir  Ector  to  Arthur.  I 
will  well,  said  Arthur,  and  pulled  it  out  easily.  And  there- 
withal Sir  Ector  knelt  down  to  the  earth,  and  Sir  Kay. 
Alas,  said  Arthur,  my  own  dear  father  and  brother,  why 
kneel  ye  to  me  ?  Nay,  nay,  my  lord  Arthur,  it  is  not  so  ; 
I  was  never  your  father  nor  of  your  blood,  but  I  wot  well 
ye  are  of  an  higher  blood  than  I  weened  ye  were.  And 
then  Sir  Ector  told  him  all,  how  he  was  betaken  him  for 
to  nourish  him,  and  by  whose  commandment,  and  by 
Merlin's  deliverance. 

Then  Arthur  made  great  dole  when  he  understood 
that  Sir  Ector  was  not  his  father.  Therewithal  they  went 
unto  the  Archbishop,  and  told  him  how  the  sword  was 
achieved,  and  by  whom  ;  and  on  Twelfth-day  all  the  barons 
came  thither,  and  to  assay  to  take  the  sword,  who  that  would 


HOW  KING  ARTHUR  WAS  CROWNED       u 

assay.  But  there  afore  them  all,  there  might  none  take  it 
out  but  Arthur  ;  wherefore  there  were  many  lords  wroth, 
and  said  it  was  great  shame  unto  them  all  and  the  realm,  to 
be  overgoverned  with  a  boy  of  no  high  blood  born.  And 
so  they  fell  out  at  that  time  that  it  was  put  off  till  Candlemas, 
and  then  all  the  barons  should  meet  there  again  ;  but 
always  the  ten  knights  were  ordained  to  watch  the  sword 
day  and  night,  and  so  they  set  a  pavilion  over  the  stone 
and  the  sword,  and  five  always  watched.  So  at  Candlemas 
many  more  great  lords  came  thither  for  to  have  won  the 
sword,  but  there  might  none  prevail.  And  right  as  Arthur 
did  at  Christmas,  he  did  at  Candlemas,  and  pulled  out  the 
sword  easily,  whereof  the  barons  were  sore  aggrieved  and 
put  it  off  in  delay  till  the  high  feast  of  Easter.  And  as 
Arthur  sped  before,  so  did  he  at  Easter  ;  yet  there  were 
some  of  the  great  lords  had  indignation  that  Arthur  should 
be  king,  and  put  it  off  in  a  delay  till  the  feast  of  Pentecost. 

HOW  KING  ARTHUR  WAS 
CROWNED,  AND  HOW  HE  MADE 
OFFICERS  AND  HELD  A  GREAT 
FEAST,  &  OF  THE  WAR  THAT  HE 
HAD,  AND  HOW  HE  HELD  THE 
FIELD.  And  at  the  feast  of  Pentecost  all 
manner  of  men  assayed  to  pull  at  the  sword 
that  would  assay  ;  but  none  might  prevail 
but  Arthur,  and  pulled  it  out  afore  all  the 
lords  and  commons  that  were  there,  where- 
fore all  the  commons  cried  at  once,  We  will 
have  Arthur  unto  our  king,  we  will  put  him 
no  more  in  delay,  for  we  all  see  that  it  is  God's  will  that  he  shall 
be  our  king,  and  who  that  holdeth  against  it,  we  will  slay  him. 


12  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

And  therewithal  they  kneeled  at  once,  both  rich  and  poor, 
and  cried  Arthur  mercy  because  they  had  delayed  him  so 
long,  and  Arthur  forgave  them,  and  took  the  sword  between 
both  his  hands,  and  offered  it  upon  the  altar  where  the  Arch- 
bishop was,  and  so  was  he  made  knight  of  the  best  man 
that  was  there.  And  so  anon  was  the  coronation  made. 
And  there  was  he  sworn  unto  his  lords  and  the  commons 
for  to  be  a  true  king,  to  stand  with  true  justice  from 
thenceforth  the  days  of  this  life. 

When  this  was  done,  that  the  king  had  stablished  all 
the  countries  about  London,  then  he  let  make  Sir  Kay 
seneschal  of  England  ;  and  Sir  Baudwin  of  Britain  was 
made  constable  ;  and  Sir  Ulfius  was  made  chamberlain  ; 
and  Sir  Brastias  was  made  warden  to  wait  upon  the  north 
from  Trent  forwards,  for  it  was  that  time  the  most  party 
the  king's  enemies.  But  within  few  years  after  Arthur 
won  all  the  north,  Scotland,  and  all  that  were  under  their 
obeissance.  Also  Wales,  a  part  of  it,  held  against  Arthur, 
but  he  overcame  them  all,  as  he  did  the  remnant,  through 
the  noble  prowess  of  himself  and  his  knights  of  the  Round 
Table. 

Then  the  king  removed  into  Wales,  and  let  cry  a  great 
feast  that  it  should  be  holden  at  Pentecost  after  the  incorona- 
tion  of  him  at  the  city  of  Carlion.  Unto  the  feast  came 
King  Lot  of  Lothian  and  of  Orkney,  with  five  hundred 
knights  with  him.  Also  there  came  to  the  feast  King 
Uriens  of  Gore  with  four  hundred  knights  with  him.  Also 
there  came  to  that  feast  King  Nentres  of  Garlot,  with  seven 
hundred  knights  with  him.  Also  there  came  to  the  feast 
the  king  of  Scotland  with  six  hundred  knights  with  him, 
and  he  was  but  a  young  man.  Also  there  came  to  the  feast 
a  king  that  was  called  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights, 


HOW  KING  ARTHUR  HELD  FEAST  13 

but  he  and  his  men  were  passing  well  beseen  at  all  points. 
Also  there  came  the  king  of  Carados  with  five  hundred 
knights.  And  King  Arthur  was  glad  of  their  coming,  for 
he  weened  that  all  the  kings  and  knights  had  come  for 
great  love,  and  to  have  done  him  worship  at  his  feast  ;  where- 
fore the  king  made  great  joy,  and  sent  the  kings  and  knights 
great  presents.  But  the  kings  would  none  receive,  but 
rebuked  the  messengers  shamefully,  and  said  they  had  no 
joy  to  receive  no  gifts  of  a  beardless  boy  that  was  come  of 
low  blood,  and  sent  him  word  they  would  none  of  his  gifts, 
but  that  they  were  come  to  give  him  gifts  with  hard  swords 
betwixt  the  neck  and  the  shoulders  :  and  therefore  they 
came  thither,  so  they  told  to  the  messengers  plainly,  for  it 
was  great  shame  to  all  them  to  see  such  a  boy  to  have  a  rule 
of  so  noble  a  realm  as  this  land  was.  With  this  answer  the 
messengers  departed  and  told  to  King  Arthur  this  answer. 
Wherefore,  by  the  advice  of  his  barons,  he  took  him  to  a 
strong  tower  with  five  hundred  good  men  with  him.  And 
all  the  kings  aforesaid  in  a  manner  laid  a  siege  to-fore  him, 
but  King  Arthur  was  well  victualed.  And  within  fifteen 
days  there  came  Merlin  among  them  into  the  city  of  Carlion. 
Then  all  the  kings  were  passing  glad  of  Merlin,  and  asked 
him,  For  what  cause  is  that  boy  Arthur  made  your  king  ? 
Sirs,  said  Merlin,  I  shall  tell  you  the  cause,  for  he  is  King 
Uther  Pendragon's  son,  born  in  wedlock  of  Igraine,  the 
duke's  wife  of  Tintagil.  After  the  death  of  the  duke, 
thirteen  days,  King  Uther  wedded  Igraine.  And  who  saith 
nay,  he  shall  be  king  and  overcome  all  his  enemies.  Some 
of  the  kings  had  marvel  of  Merlin's  words,  and  deemed  well 
that  it  should  be  as  he  said  ;  and  some  of  them  laughed  him 
to  scorn,  as  King  Lot ;  and  more  other  called  him  a  witch. 
But  then  were  they  accorded  with  Merlin,  that  King  Arthur 


14  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

should  come  out  and  speak  with  the  kings,  and  to  come 
safe  and  to  go  safe,  such  surance  there  was  made. 

Then  King  Arthur  came  out  of  his  tower,  and  had  under 
his  gown  a  jesseraunt  of  double  mail,  and  there  went  with 
him  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  Sir  Baudwin  of 
Britain,  and  Sir  Kay,  and  Sir  Brastias  :  these  were  the  men 
of  most  worship  that  were  with  him.  And  when  they 
were  met  there  was  no  meekness,  but  stout  words  on  both 
sides  ;  but  always  King  Arthur  answered  them,  and  said 
he  would  make  them  to  bow  an  he  lived.  Wherefore 
they  departed  with  wrath,  and  King  Arthur  bade  keep 
them  well,  and  they  bade  the  king  keep  him  well.  So  the 
king  returned  him  to  the  tower  again  and  armed  him  and 
all  his  knights.  With  that  Merlin  came  to  King  Arthur, 
and  bade  him  set  on  them  fiercely  ;  and  in  the  meanwhile 
there  were  three  hundred  good  men,  of  the  best  that  were 
with  the  kings,  that  went  straight  unto  King  Arthur,  and 
that  comforted  him  gready.  Sir,  said  Merlin  to  Arthur, 
fight  not  with  the  sword  that  ye  had  by  miracle,  till  that 
ye  see  ye  go  unto  the  worse,  then  draw  it  out  and  do  your 
best.  So  forthwithal  King  Arthur  set  upon  them  in  their 
lodging.  And  Sir  Baudwin,  Sir  Kay,  and  Sir  Brastias  slew 
on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand  that  it  was  marvel  ; 
and  always  King  Arthur  on  horseback  laid  on  with  a  sword, 
and  did  marvellous  deeds  of  arms,  that  many  of  the  kings 
had  great  joy  of  his  deeds  and  hardiness. 

Then  King  Lot  brake  out  on  the  back  side,  and  the 
King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  and  King  Carados,  and 
set  on  Arthur  fiercely  behind  him.  With  that  Sir  Arthur 
turned  with  his  knights,  and  smote  behind  and  before,  and 
ever  Sir  Arthur  was  in  the  foremost  press  till  his  horse 
was    slain    underneath    him.     And    therewith    King    Lot 


OF  KING  ARTHUR'S  DREAM 


15 


smote  down  King  Arthur.  With  that  his  four  knights 
received  him  and  set  him  on  horseback.  Then  he  drew 
his  sword  Excalibur,  but  it  was  so  bright  in  his  enemies' 
eyes,  that  it  gave  light  like  thirty  torches.  And  there- 
with he  put  them  a-back,  and  slew  much  people.  And 
then  the  commons  of  Carlion  arose  with  clubs  and  staves 
and  slew  many  knights  ;  but  all  the  kings  held  them 
together  with  their  knights  that  were  left  alive,  and  so  fled 
and  departed.  And  Merlin  came  unto  Arthur  and  coun- 
selled him  to  follow  them  no  further. 


OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND 
KING  PELLINORE  AND 
HOW  ARTHUR  SENT  FOR 
HIS  MOTHER.  Then  came  to 
King  Arthur,  King  Lot's  wife,  of 
Orkney,  in  manner  of  a  message, 
but  she  was  sent  thither  to  espy 
the  court  of  King  Arthur  ;  and 
she  came  richly  beseen,  with  her 
four  sons,  Gawaine,  Gaheris,  Agra- 
vine,  and  Gareth,  with  many  other 
knights  and  ladies,  and  she  was  a  passing  fair  lady, 
wherefore  the  king  cast  great  love  unto  her,  and  so  was 
Mordred  born,  and  she  was  his  sister,  on  his  mother's 
side,  Igraine.  So  there  she  rested  her  a  month,  and  at 
the  last  departed.  Then  the  king  dreamed  a  marvellous 
dream  whereof  he  was  sore  adread.  But  all  this  time  King 
Arthur  knew  not  that  King  Lot's  wife  was  his  sister.  Thus 
was  the  dream  of  Arthur  :  Him  thought  there  was  come 
into  this  land  griffins  and  serpents,  and  him  thought  they 
burnt  and  slew  all  the  people  in  the  land,  and  then  him 


1 6  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

thought  he  fought  with  them,  and  they  did  him  passing 
great  harm,  and  wounded  him  full  sore,  but  at  the  last  he 
slew  them.  When  the  king  awaked,  he  was  passing  heavy 
of  his  dream,  and  so  to  put  it  out  of  thoughts,  he  made  him 
ready  with  many  knights  to  ride  a-hunting.  As  soon  as 
he  was  in  the  forest  the  king  saw  a  great  hart  afore  him. 
This  hart  will  I  chase,  said  King  Arthur,  and  so  he  spurred 
the  horse,  and  rode  after  long,  and  so  by  fine  force  oft  he 
was  like  to  have  smitten  the  hart ;  whereas  the  king  had 
chased  the  hart  so  long,  that  his  horse  lost  his  breath,  and 
fell  down  dead.  Then  a  yeoman  fetched  the  king  another 
horse. 

So  the  king  saw  the  hart  embushed,  and  his  horse  dead, 
he  set  him  down  by  a  fountain,  and  there  he  fell  in  great 
thoughts.  And  as  he  sat  so,  him  thought  he  heard  a  noise 
of  hounds,  to  the  sum  of  thirty.  And  with  that  the  king 
saw  coming  toward  him  the  strangest  beast  that  ever  he 
saw  or  heard  of  ;  so  the  beast  went  to  the  well  and  drank, 
and  the  noise  was  in  the  beast's  belly  like  unto  the  questing 
of  thirty  couple  hounds  ;  but  all  the  while  the  beast  drank 
there  was  no  noise  in  the  beast's  belly  :  and  therewith  the 
beast  departed  with  a  great  noise,  whereof  the  king  had 
great  marvel.  And  so  he  was  in  a  great  thought,  and 
therewith  he  fell  asleep.  Right  so  there  came  a  knight 
afoot  unto  Arthur  and  said,  Knight  full  of  thought  and 
sleepy,  tell  me  if  thou  sawest  a  strange  beast  pass  this  way. 
Such  one  saw  I,  said  King  Arthur,  that  is  past  two  mile  ; 
what  would  ye  with  the  beast  ?  said  Arthur.  Sir,  I  have 
followed  that  beast  long  time,  and  killed  mine  horse,  so 
would  I  had  another  to  follow  my  quest.  Right  so 
came  one  with  the  king's  horse,  and  when  the  knight  saw 
the  horse,  he  prayed  the  king  to  give  him  the  horse  :    for 


OF  KING  PELLINORE  17 

I  have  followed  this  quest  this  twelvemonth,  and  either  I 
shall  achieve  him,  or  bleed  of  the  best  blood  of  my  body. 
Pellinore,  that  time  king,  followed  the  Questing  Beast,  and 
after  his  death  Sir  Palamides  followed  it. 

Sir  knight,  said  the  king,  leave  that  quest,  and  suffer  me 
to  have  it,  and  I  will  follow  it  another  twelvemonth.  Ah, 
fool,  said  the  knight  unto  Arthur,  it  is  in  vain  thy  desire, 
for  it  shall  never  be  achieved  but  by  me,  or  my  next  kin. 
Therewith  he  started  unto  the  king's  horse  and  mounted 
into  the  saddle,  and  said,  Gramercy,  this  horse  is  my  own. 
Well,  said  the  king,  thou  mayst  take  my  horse  by  force, 
but  an  I  might  prove  thee  whether  thou  were  better  on 
horseback  or  I. — Well,  said  the  knight,  seek  me  here  when 
thou  wilt,  and  here  nigh  this  well  thou  shalt  find  me,  and 
so  passed  on  his  way.  Then  the  king  sat  in  a  study,  and 
bade  his  men  fetch  his  horse  as  fast  as  ever  they  might. 
Right  so  came  by  him  Merlin  like  a  child  of  fourteen  year 
of  age,  and  saluted  the  king,  and  asked  him  why  he  was  so 
pensive.  I  may  well  be  pensive,  said  the  king,  for  I  have 
seen  the  marvellest  sight  that  ever  I  saw.  That  know  I 
well,  said  Merlin,  as  well  as  thyself,  and  of  all  thy  thoughts, 
but  thou  art  but  a  fool  to  take  thought,  for  it  will  not  amend 
thee.  Also  I  know  what  thou  art,  and  who  was  thy  father, 
and  of  whom  thou  wert  born  ;  King  Uther  Pendragon 
was  thy  father,  and  had  thee  of  Igraine.  That  is  false, 
said  King  Arthur,  how  shouldest  thou  know  it,  for  thou 
art  not  so  old  of  years  to  know  my  father  ?  Yes,  said  Merlin, 
I  know  it  better  than  ye  or  any  man  living.  I  will  not 
believe  thee,  said  Arthur,  and  was  wroth  with  the  child. 
So  departed  Merlin,  and  came  again  in  the  likeness  of  an 
old  man  of  fourscore  year  of  age,  whereof  the  king  was 
right  glad,  for  he  seemed  to  be  right  wise. 


1 8  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

Then  said  the  old  man,  Why  are  ye  so  sad  ?  I  may 
well  be  heavy,  said  Arthur,  for  many  things.  Also  here 
was  a  child,  and  told  me  many  things  that  meseemeth  he 
should  not  know,  for  he  was  not  of  age  to  know  my  father. 
Yes,  said  the  old  man,  the  child  told  you  truth,  and  more 
would  he  have  told  you  an  ye  would  have  suffered  him. 
But  ye  have  done  a  thing  late  that  God  is  displeased  with  you, 
and  your  sister  shall  have  a  child  that  shall  destroy  you  and 
all  the  knights  of  your  realm.  What  are  ye,  said  Arthur,  that 
tell  me  these  tidings  ?  I  am  Merlin,  and  I  was  he  in  the  child's 
likeness.  Ah,  said  King  Arthur,  ye  are  a  marvellous  man,  but 
I  marvel  much  of  thy  words  that  I  must  die  in  battle.  Marvel 
not,  said  Merlin,  for  it  is  God's  will  your  body  to  be  punished 
for  your  foul  deeds  ;  but  I  may  well  be  sorry,  said  Merlin, 
for  I  shall  die  a  shameful  death,  to  be  put  in  the  earth  quick, 
and  ye  shall  die  a  worshipful  death.  And  as  they  talked 
thus,  came  one  with  the  king's  horse,  and  so  the  king  mounted 
on  his  horse,  and  Merlin  on  another,  and  so  rode  unto 
Carlion.  And  anon  the  king  asked  Ector  and  Ulfius  how 
he  was  begotten,  and  they  told  him  Uther  Pendragon  was 
his  father  and  Queen  Igraine  his  mother.  Then  he  said  to 
Merlin,  I  will  that  my  mother  be  sent  for,  that  I  may  speak 
with  her.  Then  in  all  haste,  the  queen  was  sent  for,  and 
she  came  and  brought  with  her  Morgan  le  Fay,  her  daughter, 
that  was  as  fair  a  lady  as  any  might  be,  and  the  king  welcomed 
Igraine  in  the  best  manner. 

Then  Merlin  took  the  king  by  the  hand,  saying,  This  is 
your  mother.  And  therewith  Sir  Ector  bare  witness  how 
he  nourished  him  by  Uther's  commandment.  And  there- 
with King  Arthur  took  his  mother,  Queen  Igraine,  in  his 
arms  and  kissed  her,  and  either  wept  upon  other.  And 
then  the  king  let  make  a  feast  that  lasted  eight  days. 


ARTHUR  AND  KING  PELLINORE  19 

HOW  ARTHUR  FOUGHT  WITH  KING 
PELLINO RE  AND  HOWMERLIN  SAVED 
ARTHUR'S  LIFE,  AND  ARTHUR  BY  THE 
MEAN  OF  MERLIN  GAT  HIS  SWORD 
EXCALIBUR.  Then  on  a  day  there  came  in 
the  court  a  squire  on  horseback,  leading  a  knight  before 
him  wounded  to  the  death,  and  told  him  how  there  was  a 
knight  in  the  forest  had  reared  up  a  pavilion  by  a  well,  and 
hath  slain  my  master,  a  good  knight,  his  name  was  Miles  ; 
wherefore  I  beseech  you  that  my  master  may  be  buried,  and 
that  some  knight  may  revenge  my  master's  death.  Then 
the  noise  was  great  of  that  knight's  death  in  the  court,  and 
every  man  said  his  advice.  Then  came  Griflet  that  was  but 
a  squire,  and  he  was  but  young,  of  the  age  of  the  king  Arthur, 
so  he  besought  the  king  for  all  his  service  that  he  had  done 
him  to  give  the  order  of  knighthood. 

Thou  art  full  young  and  tender  of  age,  said  Arthur, 
for  to  take  so  high  an  order  on  thee.  Sir,  said  Griflet,  I 
beseech  you  make  me  knight.  Sir,  said  Merlin,  it  were 
great  pity  to  lose  Griflet,  for  he  will  be  a  passing  good 
man  when  he  is  of  age,  abiding  with  you  the  term  of  his 
life.  And  if  he  adventure  his  body  with  yonder  knight 
at  the  fountain,  it  is  in  great  peril  if  ever  he  come  again, 
for  he  is  one  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world,  and  the  strongest 
man  of  arms.  Well,  said  Arthur.  So  at  the  desire  of 
Griflet  the  king  made  him  knight.  Now,  said  Arthur 
unto  Sir  Griflet,  sith  I  have  made  you  knight  thou  must 
give  me  a  gift.  What  ye  will,  said  Griflet.  Thou  shalt 
promise  me  by  the  faith  of  thy  body,  when  thou  hast  jousted 
with  the  knight  at  the  fountain,  whether  it  fall  ye  be  on 
foot  or  on  horseback,  that  right  so  ye  shall  come  again  unto 
me  without  making  any  more  debate.     I  will  promise  you, 


20  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

said  Griflet,  as  you  desire.  Then  took  Griflet  his  horse 
in  great  haste,  and  dressed  his  shield  and  took  a  spear  in  his 
hand,  and  so  he  rode  a  great  wallop  till  he  came  to  the 
fountain,  and  thereby  he  saw  a  rich  pavilion,  and  thereby 
under  a  cloth  stood  a  fair  horse  well  saddled  and  bridled, 
and  on  a  tree  a  shield  of  divers  colours  and  a  great  spear. 
Then  Griflet  smote  on  the  shield  with  the  butt  of  his  spear, 
that  the  shield  fell  down  to  the  ground.  With  that  the 
knight  came  out  of  the  pavilion,  and  said,  Fair  knight, 
why  smote  ye  down  my  shield  ?  For  I  will  joust  with  you, 
said  Griflet.  It  is  better  ye  do  not,  said  the  knight,  for 
ye  are  but  young,  and  late  made  knight,  and  your  might 
is  nothing  to  mine.  As  for  that,  said  Griflet,  I  will  joust 
with  you.  That  is  me  loath,  said  the  knight,  but  sith  I 
must  needs,  I  will  dress  me  thereto.  Of  whence  be  ye  ? 
said  the  knight.  Sir,  I  am  of  Arthur's  court.  So  the  two 
knights  ran  together  that  Griflet's  spear  all  to-shivered  ; 
and  therewithal  he  smote  Griflet  through  the  shield  and  the 
left  side,  and  brake  the  spear  that  the  truncheon  stuck  in 
his  body,  that  horse  and  knight  fell  down. 

When  the  knight  saw  him  lie  so  on  the  ground,  he 
alighted,  and  was  passing  heavy,  for  he  weened  he  had 
slain  him,  and  then  he  unlaced  his  helm  and  gat  him  wind, 
and  so  with  the  truncheon  he  set  him  on  his  horse,  and 
so  betook  him  to  God,  and  said  he  had  a  mighty  heart, 
and  if  he  might  live  he  would  prove  a  passing  good  knight. 
And  so  Sir  Griflet  rode  to  the  court,  where  great  dole  was 
made  for  him.  But  through  good  leeches  he  was  healed 
and  saved.  Then  King  Arthur  was  passingly  wroth  for 
the  hurt  of  Sir  Griflet.  And  so  he  commanded  a  privy 
man  of  his  chamber  that  ere  it  be  day  his  best  horse  and 
armour,  with  all  that  longeth  unto  his  person,  be  without 


ARTHUR'S  FIGHT  WITH  A  KNIGHT         21 

the  city  or  to-morrow  day.  Right  so  or  to-morrow  day 
he  met  with  his  man  and  his  horse,  and  so  mounted  up  and 
dressed  his  shield  and  took  his  spear,  and  bade  his  chamber- 
lain tarry  there  till  he  came  again.  And  so  Arthur  rode 
a  soft  pace  till  it  was  day,  and  then  was  he  ware  of  three 
churls  chasing  Merlin,  and  would  have  slain  him.  Then 
the  king  rode  unto  them,  and  bade  them  :  Flee,  churls  ! 
then  were  they  afeard  when  they  saw  a  knight,  and  fled. 

0  Merlin,  said  Arthur,  here  hadst  thou  been  slain  for  all 
thy  crafts  had  I  not  been.     Nay,  said  Merlin,  not  so,  for 

1  could  save  myself  an  I  would  ;  and  thou  art  more  near 
thy  death  than  I  am,  for  thou  goest  to  the  deathward,  an 
God  be  not  thy  friend. 

So  as  they  went  thus  talking  they  came  to  the  fountain, 
and  the  rich  pavilion  there  by  it.  Then  King  Arthur  was 
ware  where  sat  a  knight  armed  in  a  chair.  Sir  knight,  said 
Arthur,  for  what  cause  abidest  thou  here,  that  there  may 
no  knight  ride  this  way  but  if  he  joust  with  thee  ?  said  the 
king.  I  rede  thee  leave  that  custom,  said  Arthur.  This 
custom,  said  the  knight,  have  I  used  and  will  use  maugre 
who  saith  nay,  and  who  is  grieved  with  my  custom  let 
him  amend  it  that  will.  I  will  amend  it,  said  Arthur.  I 
shall  defend  thee,  said  the  knight.  Anon  he  took  his  horse 
and  dressed  his  shield  and  took  a  spear,  and  they  met  so 
hard  either  in  other's  shields,  that  all  to-shivered  their 
spears.  Therewith  anon  Arthur  pulled  out  his  sword. 
Nay,  not  so,  said  the  knight  ;  it  is  fairer,  said  the  knight, 
that  we  twain  run  more  together  with  sharp  spears.  I 
will  well,  said  Arthur,  an  I  had  any  more  spears.  I  have 
enow,  said  the  knight ;  so  there  came  a  squire  and  brought 
two  good  spears,  and  Arthur  chose  one  and  he  another  ; 
so  they  spurred   their  horses  and   came   together  with  all 


22  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

their  mights,  that  either  brake  their  spears  to  their  hands. 
Then  Arthur  set  hand  on  his  sword.  Nay,  said  the  knight, 
ye  shall  do  better,  ye  are  a  passing  good  jouster  as  ever  I 
met  withal,  and  for  the  love  of  the  high  order  of  knighthood 
let  us  joust  once  again.  I  assent  me,  said  Arthur.  Anon 
there  were  brought  two  great  spears,  and  every  knight  gat 
a  spear,  and  therewith  they  ran  together  that  Arthur's  spear 
all  to-shivered.  But  the  other  knight  hit  him  so  hard  in 
midst  of  the  shield,  that  horse  and  man  fell  to  the  earth, 
and  therewith  Arthur  was  eager,  and  pulled  out  his  sword, 
and  said,  I  will  assay  thee,  sir  knight,  on  foot,  for  I  have  lost 
the  honour  on  horseback.  Then  the  knight  alighted  and 
dressed  his  shield  unto  Arthur.  And  there  began  a  strong 
battle  with  many  great  strokes,  and  so  hewed  with  their 
swords  that  the  cantels  flew  in  the  fields.  So  at  the  last  they 
smote  together  that  both  their  swords  met  even  together. 
But  the  sword  of  the  knight  smote  King  Arthur's  sword  in 
two  pieces,  wherefore  he  was  heavy.  Then  said  the  knight 
unto  Arthur,  Thou  art  in  my  danger  whether  me  list  to 
save  thee  or  slay  thee,  and  but  thou  yield  thee  as  overcome 
and  recreant,  thou  shalt  die.  As  for  death,  said  King 
Arthur,  welcome  be  it  when  it  cometh,  but  to  yield  me 
unto  thee  as  recreant  I  had  liefer  die  than  to  be  so  shamed. 
And  therewithal  the  king  leapt  unto  Pellinore,  and  took 
him  by  the  middle  and  threw  him  down,  and  raced  off  his 
helm.  When  the  knight  felt  that  he  was  adread,  and  anon 
he  brought  Arthur  under  him,  for  he  was  a  passing  big 
man  of  might,  and  raced  off  his  helm  and  would  have 
smitten  off  his  head. 

Therewithal  came  Merlin  and  said,  Knight,  hold  thy 
hand,  for  an  thou  slay  that  knight  thou  puttest  this  realm 
in  the  greatest  damage  that  ever  was  realm  :   for  this  knight 


HOW  MERLIN  SAVED  ARTHUR'S  LIFE      23 

is  a  man  of  more  worship  than  thou  wotest  of.  Why,  who 
is  he  ?  said  the  knight.  It  is  King  Arthur.  Then  would 
he  have  slain  him  for  dread  of  his  wrath,  and  heaved  up 
his  sword,  and  therewith  Merlin  cast  an  enchantment  to 
the  knight,  that  he  fell  to  the  earth  in  a  great  sleep.  Then 
Merlin  took  up  King  Arthur,  and  rode  forth  on  the  knight's 
horse.  Alas  !  said  Arthur,  what  hast  thou  done,  Merlin  ? 
hast  thou  slain  this  good  knight  by  thy  crafts  ?  There 
liveth  not  so  worshipful  a  knight  as  he  was  ;  I  had  liefer 
than  the  stint  of  my  land  a  year  that  he  were  alive.  Care 
ye  not,  said  Merlin,  for  he  is  wholer  than  ye  ;  for  he  is  but 
asleep,  and  will  awake  within  three  hours.  I  told  you,  said 
Merlin,  what  a  knight  he  was  ;  here  had  ye  been  slain  had 
I  not  been. 

Right  so  the  king  and  he  departed,  and  went  unto  an 
hermit  that  was  a  good  man  and  a  great  leech.  So  the 
hermit  searched  all  his  wounds  and  gave  him  good  salves  ; 
so  the  king  was  there  three  days,  and  then  were  his  wounds 
well  amended  that  he  might  ride  and  go,  and  so  departed. 
And  as  they  rode,  Arthur  said,  I  have  no  sword.  No 
force,  said  Merlin,  hereby  is  a  sword  that  shall  be  yours, 
an  I  may.  So  they  rode  till  they  came  to  a  lake,  the  which 
was  a  fair  water  and  broad,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  lake 
Arthur  was  ware  of  an  arm  clothed  in  white  samite,  that 
held  a  fair  sword  in  that  hand.  Lo  !  said  Merlin,  yonder 
is  that  sword  that  I  spake  of.  With  that  they  saw  a  damosel 
going  upon  the  lake.  What  damosel  is  that  ?  said  Arthur. 
That  is  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  said  Merlin  ;  and  within 
that  lake  is  a  rock,  and  therein  is  as  fair  a  place  as  any  on 
earth,  and  richly  beseen  ;  and  this  damosel  will  come  to  you 
anon,  and  then  speak  ye  fair  to  her  that  she  will  give  you 
that  sword.     Anon  withal  came  the  damosel  unto  Arthur, 


24  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

and  saluted  him,  and  he  her  again.  Damosel,  said  Arthur, 
what  sword  is  that,  that  yonder  the  arm  holdeth  above  the 
water  ?  I  would  it  were  mine,  for  I  have  no  sword.  Sir 
Arthur,  king,  said  the  damosel,  that  sword  is  mine,  and  if 
ye  will  give  me  a  gift  when  I  ask  it  you,  ye  shall  have  it. 
By  my  faith,  said  Arthur,  I  will  give  you  what  gift  ye  will 
ask.  Well  !  said  the  damosel,  go  ye  into  yonder  barge, 
and  row  yourself  to  the  sword,  and  take  it  and  the  scabbard 
with  you,  and  I  will  ask  my  gift  when  I  see  my  time.  So 
Sir  Arthur  and  Merlin  alighted  and  tied  their  horses  to  two 
trees,  and  so  they  went  into  the  ship,  and  when  they  came 
to  the  sword  that  the  hand  held,  Sir  Arthur  took  it  up  by 
the  handles,  and  took  it  with  him,  and  the  arm  and  the 
hand  went  under  the  water.  And  so  they  came  unto  the 
land  and  rode  forth. 

Then  Sir  Arthur  looked  on  the  sword,  and  liked  it 
passing  well.  Whether  liketh  you  better,  said  Merlin,  the 
sword  or  the  scabbard  ?  Me  liketh  better  the  sword,  said 
Arthur.  Ye  are  more  unwise,  said  Merlin,  for  the  scabbard 
is  worth  ten  of  the  swords,  for  whiles  ye  have  the  scabbard 
upon  you,  ye  shall  never  lose  no  blood,  be  ye  never  so  sore 
wounded  ;  therefore  keep  well  the  scabbard  always  with 
you.  So  they  came  unto  Carlion,  whereof  his  knights 
were  passing  glad.  And  when  they  heard  of  his  adventures, 
they  marvelled  that  he  would  jeopard  his  person  so,  alone. 
But  all  men  of  worship  said  it  was  merry  to  be  under  such 
a  chieftain,  that  would  put  his  person  in  adventure  as  other 
poor  knights  did. 


HOW  KING  ARTHUR  WEDDED  GUENEVER   25 

HOW  KING  ARTHUR  WEDDED  GUENEVER, 
DAUGHTER  TO  LEODEGRANCE,  KING  OF 
THE  LAND  OF  CAMELIARD,  WITH  WHOM 
HE  HAD  THE  ROUND  TABLE,  AND  HOW  TOR 
AND  GAWAINE  WERE  MADE  KNIGHTS.  So  it 
fell  on  a  time  King  Arthur  said  unto  Merlin,  My  barons 
will  let  me  have  no  rest,  but  needs  I  must  take  a  wife, 
and  I  will  none  take  but  by  thy  counsel  and  by  thine 
advice.  It  is  well  done,  said  Merlin,  that  ye  take  a  wife, 
for  a  man  of  your  bounty  and  noblesse  should  not  be  without 
a  wife.  Now  is  there  any  that  ye  love  more  than  another  ? 
Yea,  said  King  Arthur,  I  love  Guenever  the  king's  daughter, 
Leodegrance  of  the  land  of  Cameliard,  the  which  holdeth 
in  his  house  the  Table  Round  that  ye  told  he  had  of  my 
father  Uther.  And  this  damosel  is  the  most  valiant  and 
fairest  lady  that  I  know  living,  or  yet  that  ever  I  could 
find.  Sir,  said  Merlin,  as  of  her  beauty  and  fairness  she 
is  one  of  the  fairest  alive,  but,  an  ye  loved  her  not  so  well 
as  ye  do,  I  should  find  you  a  damosel  of  beauty  and  of 
goodness  that  should  like  you  and  please  you,  an  your 
heart  were  not  set  ;  but  there  as  a  man's  heart  is  set,  he 
will  be  loath  to  return.     That  is  truth,  said  King  Arthur. 

Then  Merlin  went  forth  unto  King  Leodegrance  of 
Cameliard,  and  told  him  of  the  desire  of  the  king  that  he 
would  have  unto  his  wife  Guenever  his  daughter.  That 
is  to  me,  said  King  Leodegrance,  the  best  tidings  that  ever 
I  heard,  that  so  worthy  a  king  of  prowess  and  noblesse  will 
wed  my  daughter.  And  as  for  my  lands,  I  will  give  him, 
wist  I  it  might  please  him,  but  he  hath  lands  enow,  him 
needeth  none  ;  but  I  shall  send  him  a  gift  shall  please  him 
much  more,  for  I  shall  give  him  the  Table  Round,  the 
which  Uther  Pendragon  gave  me,  and  when  it  is  full  com- 


26  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

plete,  there  is  an  hundred  knights  and  fifty.  And  as  for 
an  hundred  good  knights  I  have  myself,  but  I  faute  fifty, 
for  so  many  have  been  slain  in  my  days.  And  so  Leode- 
grance  delivered  his  daughter  Guenever  unto  Merlin,  and 
the  Table  Round  with  the  hundred  knights,  and  so  they 
rode  freshly,  with  great  royalty,  what  by  water  and  what 
by  land,  till  that  they  came  nigh  unto  London. 

When  King  Arthur  heard  of  the  coming  of  Guenever  and 
the  hundred  knights  with  the  Table  Round,  then  King 
Arthur  made  great  joy  for  her  coming,  and  that  rich  present, 
and  said  openly,  This  fair  lady  is  passing  welcome  unto  me, 
for  I  have  loved  her  long,  and  therefore  there  is  nothing 
so  lief  to  me.  And  these  knights  with  the  Round  Table 
please  me  more  than  right  great  riches.  And  in  all  haste 
the  king  let  ordain  for  the  marriage  and  the  coronation 
in  the  most  honourable  wise  that  could  be  devised.  Now, 
Merlin,  said  King  Arthur,  go  thou  and  espy  me  in  all  this 
land  fifty  knights  which  be  of  most  prowess  and  worship. 
Within  short  time  Merlin  had  found  such  knights  that 
should  fulfil  twenty  and  eight  knights,  but  no  more  he  could 
find.  Then  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury  was  fetched,  and 
he  blessed  the  sieges  with  great  royalty  and  devotion,  and 
there  set  the  eight  and  twenty  knights  in  their  sieges.  And 
when  this  was  done  Merlin  said,  Fair  sirs,  ye  must  all  arise 
and  come  to  King  Arthur  for  to  do  him  homage  ;  he  will 
have  the  better  will  to  maintain  you.  And  so  they  arose 
and  did  their  homage,  and  when  they  were  gone  Merlin 
found  in  every  sieges  letters  of  gold  that  told  the  knights' 
names  that  had  sitten  therein.  But  two  sieges  were  void. 
And  so  anon  came  young  Gawaine  and  asked  the  king  a 
gift.  Ask,  said  the  king,  and  I  shall  grant  it  you.  Sir,  I 
ask  that  ye  will  make  me  knight  that  same  day  ye  shall  wed 


HOW  SIR  TOR  WAS  MADE  KNIGHT         27 

fair  Guenever.  I  will  do  it  with  a  good  will,  said  King 
Arthur,  and  do  unto  you  all  the  worship  that  I  may,  for  I 
must  by  reason  ye  are  my  nephew,  my  sister's  son. 

Forthwithal  there  came  a  poor  man  into  the  court,  and 
brought  with  him  a  fair  young  man  of  eighteen  years  of 
age  riding  upon  a  lean  mare  ;  and  the  poor  man  asked 
all  men  that  he  met,  Where  shall  I  find  King  Arthur  ? 
Yonder  he  is,  said  the  knights,  wilt  thou  anything  with 
him  ?  Yea,  said  the  poor  man,  therefore  I  came  hither. 
Anon  as  he  came  before  the  king,  he  saluted  him  and  said  : 

0  King  Arthur,  the  flower  of  all  knights  and  kings,  I 
beseech  Jesu  save  thee.  Sir,  it  was  told  me  that  at  this 
time  of  your  marriage  ye  would  give  any  man  the  gift  that 
he  would  ask,  out  except  that  were  unreasonable.  That 
is  truth,  said  the  king,  such  cries  I  let  make,  and  that  will 

1  hold,  so  it  apair  not  my  realm  nor  mine  estate.  Ye  say 
well  and  graciously,  said  the  poor  man  ;  Sir,  I  ask  nothing 
else  but  that  ye  will  make  my  son  here  a  knight.  It  is  a 
great  thing  thou  askest  of  me,  said  the  king.  What  is 
thy  name  ?  said  the  king  to  the  poor  man.  Sir,  my  name 
is  Aries  the  cowherd.  Whether  cometh  this  of  thee  or 
of  thy  son  ?  said  the  king.  Nay,  sir,  said  Aries,  this  desire 
cometh  of  my  son  and  not  of  me,  for  I  shall  tell  you  I  have 
thirteen  sons,  and  all  they  will  fall  to  what  labour  I  put 
them,  and  will  be  right  glad  to  do  labour,  but  this  child 
will  not  labour  for  me,  for  anything  that  my  wife  or  I  may 
do,  but  always  he  will  be  snooting  or  casting  darts,  and 
glad  for  to  see  battles  and  to  behold  knights,  and  always 
day  and  night  he  desireth  of  me  to  be  made  a  knight.  What 
is  thy  name  ?  said  the  king  unto  the  young  man.  Sir, 
my  name  is  Tor.  The  king  beheld  him  fast,  and  saw  he 
was  passingly  well-visaged  and  passingly  well  made  of  his 


28  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

years.  Well,  said  King  Arthur  unto  Aries  the  cowherd, 
fetch  all  thy  sons  afore  me  that  I  may  see  them.  And 
so  the  poor  man  did,  and  all  were  shaped  much  like  the 
poor  man.  But  Tor  was  not  like  none  of  them  all  in  shape 
nor  in  countenance,  for  he  was  much  more  than  any  of 
them.  Now,  said  King  Arthur  unto  the  cowherd,  where 
is  the  sword  he  shall  be  made  knight  withal  ?  It  is  here, 
said  Tor.  Take  it  out  of  the  sheath,  said  the  king,  and 
require  me  to  make  you  a  knight. 

Then  Tor  alighted  off  his  mare  and  pulled  out  his 
sword,  kneeling,  and  requiring  the  king  that  he  would 
make  him  knight,  and  that  he  might  be  a  knight  of  the 
Table  Round.  As  for  a  knight  I  will  make  you,  and 
therewith  smote  him  in  the  neck  with  the  sword,  saying, 
Be  ye  a  good  knight,  and  so  I  pray  to  God  so  ye  may  be, 
and  if  ye  be  of  prowess  and  of  worthiness  ye  shall  be  a 
knight  of  the  Table  Round.  Now  Merlin,  said  Arthur, 
say  whether  this  Tor  shall  be  a  good  knight  or  no.  Yea, 
sir,  he  ought  to  be  a  good  knight,  for  he  is  come  of  as  good 
a  man  as  any  is  alive,  and  of  kings'  blood.  How  so,  sir  ? 
said  the  king.  I  shall  tell  you,  said  Merlin  :  This  poor 
man,  Aries  the  cowherd,  is  not  his  father  ;  he  is  nothing 
sib  to  him,  for  King  Pellinore  is  his  father.  I  suppose 
nay,  said  the  cowherd.  Fetch  thy  wife  afore  me,  said 
Merlin,  and  she  shall  not  say  nay.  Anon  the  wife  was 
fetched,  which  was  a  fair  housewife,  and  there  she  answered 
Merlin  full  womanly,  and  there  she  told  the  king  and 
Merlin  that  when  she  was  a  maid,  and  went  to  milk  kine, 
there  met  with  her  a  stern  knight,  and  half  by  force  he  held 
me,  and  after  that  time  was  born  my  son  Tor,  and  the 
knight  took  away  from  me  my  greyhound  that  I  had  that 
time  with  me,  and  said  that  he  would  keep  the  greyhound 


HOW  GAWAINE  WAS  MADE  KNIGHT       29 

for  my  love.  Ah,  said  the  cowherd,  I  weened  not  this, 
but  I  may  believe  it  well,  for  he  had  never  no  tatches  of 
me.  Sir,  said  Tor  unto  Merlin,  dishonour  not  my  mother. 
Sir,  said  Merlin,  it  is  more  for  your  worship  than  hurt, 
for  your  father  is  a  good  man  and  a  king,  and  he  may  right 
well  advance  you  and  your  mother,  for  ye  were  begotten 
or  ever  she  was  wedded.  That  is  truth,  said  the  wife.  It 
is  the  less  grief  unto  me,  said  the  cowherd. 

So  on  the  morn  King  Pellinore  came  to  the  court  of 
King  Arthur,  which  had  great  joy  of  him,  and  told  him 
of  Tor,  how  he  was  his  son,  and  how  he  had  made  him 
knight  at  the  request  of  the  cowherd.  When  Pellinore 
beheld  Tor,  he  pleased  him  much.  So  the  king  made 
Gawaine  knight,  but  Tor  was  the  first  he  made  at  the  feast. 
What  is  the  cause,  said  King  Arthur,  that  there  be  two 
places  void  in  the  sieges  ?  Sir,  said  Merlin,  there  shall 
no  man  sit  in  those  places  but  they  that  shall  be  of  most 
worship.  But  in  the  Siege  Perilous  there  shall  no  man 
sit  therein  but  one,  and  if  there  be  any  so  hardy  to  do  it 
he  shall  be  destroyed,  and  he  that  shall  sit  there  shall  have 
no  fellow.  And  therewith  Merlin  took  King  Pellinore 
by  the  hand,  and  in  the  one  next  the  two  sieges  and  the 
Siege  Perilous  he  said,  in  open  audience,  This  is  your  place 
and  best  ye  are  worthy  to  sit  therein  of  any  that  is  here. 
Thereat  sat  Sir  Gawaine  in  great  envy  and  told  Gaheris 
his  brother,  yonder  knight  is  put  to  great  worship,  the 
which  grieveth  me  sore,  for  he  slew  our  father  King  Lot, 
therefore  I  will  slay  him,  said  Gawaine,  with  a  sword  that 
was  sent  me  that  is  passing  trenchant.  Ye  shall  not  so, 
said  Gaheris,  at  this  time,  for  at  this  time  I  am  but  a  squire, 
and  when  I  am  made  knight  I  will  be  avenged  on  him,  and 
therefore,  brother,  it  is  best  ye  suffer  till  another  time,  that 


3° 


OF  KING  ARTHUR 


we  may  have  him  out  of  the  court,  for  an  we  did  so  we  should 
trouble  this  high  feast.  I  will  well,  said  Gawaine,  as  ye  will. 
Then  was  the  high  feast  made  ready,  and  the  king  was 
wedded  at  Camelot  unto  Dame  Guenever  in  the  church  of 
Saint  Stephen's,  with  great  solemnity. 

HOW  MERLIN  WAS  ASSOTTED 
AND  DOTED  ON  ONE  OF  THE 
LADIES  OF  THE  LAKE,  AND 
HOW  HE  WAS  SHUT  IN  A 
ROCK  UNDER  A  STONE  AND 
THERE  DIED.  So  after  this  Merlin 
fell  in  a  dotage  on  one  of  the  damosels 
of  the  lake,  that  hight  Nimue.  But 
Merlin  would  let  her  have  no  rest, 
but  always  he  would  be  with  her.  And  ever  she  made 
Merlin  good  cheer  till  she  had  learned  of  him  all  manner 
thing  that  she  desired  ;  and  he  was  assotted  upon  her, 
that  he  might  not  be  from  her.  So  on  a  time  he  told 
King  Arthur  that  he  should  not  dure  long,  but  for  all 
his  crafts  he  should  be  put  in  the  earth  quick.  And 
so  he  told  the  king  many  things  that  should  befall,  but 
always  he  warned  the  king  to  keep  well  his  sword  and  the 
scabbard,  for  he  told  him  how  the  sword  and  the  scabbard 
should  be  stolen  by  a  woman  from  him  that  he  most  trusted. 
Also  he  told  King  Arthur  that  he  should  miss  him, — Yet, 
had  ye  liefer  than  all  your  lands  to  have  me  again.  Ah, 
said  the  king,  since  ye  know  of  your  adventure,  purvey 
for  it,  and  put  away  by  your  crafts  that  misadventure.  Nay, 
said  Merlin,  it  will  not  be  ;  so  he  departed  from  the  king. 
And  within  a  while  the  Damosel  of  the  Lake  departed,  and 
Merlin  went  with  her  evermore  wheresomever  she  went. 


MERLIN  AND  NIMUE 

How  by  her  subtle  working  she  made  Merlin  to  go  under  the  stone  to 
let  her  wit  of  the  marvels  there  :  and  she  wrought  so  there  for  him  that 
he  came  never  out  for  all  the  craft  he  could  do. 

To  face  page  30. 


HOW  MERLIN  WAS  ASSOTTED 


31 


And  ofttimes  Merlin  would  have  had  her  privily  away  by 
his  subtle  crafts  ;  then  she  made  him  to  swear  that  he 
should  never  do  none  enchantment  upon  her  if  he  would 
have  his  will.  And  so  he  sware  ;  so  she  and  Merlin  went 
over  the  sea  unto  the  land  of  Benwick,  whereas  King  Ban 
was  king  that  had  great  war  against  King  Claudas,  and 
there  Merlin  spake  with  King  Ban's  wife,  a  fair  lady  and 
a  good,  and  her  name  was  Elaine,  and  there  he  saw  young 
Launcelot.  There  the  queen  made  great  sorrow  for  the 
mortal  war  that  King  Claudas  made  on  her  lord  and  on 
her  lands.  Take  none  heaviness,  said  Merlin,  for  this 
same  child  within  this  twenty  year  shall  revenge  you  on 
King  Claudas,  that  all  Christendom  shall  speak  of  it  ;  and 
this  same  child  shall  be  the  most  man  of  worship  of  the 
world,  and  his  first  name  is  Galahad,  that  know  I  well, 
said  Merlin,  and  since  ye  have  confirmed  him  Launcelot. 
That  is  truth,  said  the  queen,  his  first  name  was  Galahad. 
O  Merlin,  said  the  queen,  shall  I  live  to  see  my  son  such  a 
man  of  prowess  ?  Yea,  lady,  on  my  peril  ye  shall  see  it, 
and  live  many  winters  after. 

And  so,  soon  after,  the  lady  and  Merlin  departed,  and 
by  the  way  Merlin  showed  her  many  wonders,  and  came 
into  Cornwall.  And  always  Merlin  lay  about  the  lady  to 
have  her  love,  and  she  was  ever  passing  weary  of  him, 
and  fain  would  have  been  delivered  of  him,  for  she  was 
afeard  of  him  because  he  was  a  devil's  son,  and  she  could 
not  put  him  away  by  no  means.  And  so  on  a  time  it 
happed  that  Merlin  snowed  to  her  in  a  rock  whereas  was 
a  great  wonder,  and  wrought  by  enchantment,  that  went 
under  a  great  stone.  So  by  her  subtle  working  she  made 
Merlin  to  go  under  that  stone  to  let  her  wit  of  the  marvels 
there  ;    but  she  wrought  so   there  for  him   that  he   came 

D 


32  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

never  out  for  all  the  craft  he  could  do.     And  so  she  departed 
and  left  Merlin. 

HOW  KING  ARTHUR,  KING 
URIENS,  AND  SIR  ACCOLON 
OF  GAUL,  CHASED  AN  HART, 
AND  OF  THEIR  MARVELLOUS 
ADVENTURES,  AND  HOW  KING 
ARTHUR  AND  ACCOLON  TOOK 
UPON  THEM  TO  DO  BATTLE. 
Then  it  befell  that  Arthur  and  many 
of  his  knights  rode  a-hunting  into  a 
great  forest,  and  it  happed  King  Arthur,  King  Uriens,  and 
Sir  Accolon  of  Gaul,  followed  a  great  hart,  for  they  three 
were  well  horsed,  and  so  they  chased  so  fast  that  within  a 
while  they  three  were  then  ten  mile  from  their  fellowship. 
And  at  the  last  they  chased  so  sore  that  they  slew  their 
horses  underneath  them.  Then  were  they  all  three  on  foot, 
and  ever  they  saw  the  hart  afore  them  passing  weary  and 
embushed.  What  will  we  do  ?  said  King  Arthur,  we  are 
hard  bestead.  Let  us  go  on  foot,  said  King  Uriens,  till  we 
may  meet  with  some  lodging.  Then  were  they  ware  of  the 
hart  that  lay  on  a  great  water  bank,  and  a  brachet  biting 
on  his  throat,  and  more  other  hounds  came  after.  Then 
King  Arthur  blew  the  prise  and  dight  the  hart. 

Then  the  king  looked  about  the  world,  and  saw  afore 
him  in  a  great  water  a  litde  ship,  all  apparelled  with  silk 
down  to  the  water,  and  the  ship  came  right  unto  them  and 
landed  on  the  sands.  Then  Arthur  went  to  the  bank  and 
looked  in,  and  saw  none  earthly  creature  therein.  Sirs, 
said  the  king,  come  thence,  and  let  us  see  what  is  in  this 
ship.     So  they  went  in  all  three,  and  found  it  richly  be- 


HOW  ARTHUR  WAS  A  PRISONER  33 

hanged  with  cloth  of  silk.  By  then  it  was  dark  night,  and 
there  suddenly  were  about  them  an  hundred  torches  set 
upon  all  the  sides  of  the  ship  boards,  and  it  gave  great  light  ; 
and  therewithal  there  came  out  twelve  fair  damosels  and 
saluted  King  Arthur  on  their  knees,  and  called  him  by  his 
name,  and  said  he  was  right  welcome,  and  such  cheer  as 
they  had  he  should  have  of  the  best.  The  king  thanked 
them  fair.  Therewithal  they  led  the  king  and  his  two 
fellows  into  a  fair  chamber,  and  there  was  a  cloth  laid, 
richly  beseen  of  all  that  longed  unto  a  table,  and  there  were 
they  served  of  all  wines  and  meats  that  they  could  think  ; 
of  that  the  king  had  great  marvel,  for  he  fared  never  better 
in  his  life  as  for  one  supper.  And  so  when  they  had  supped 
at  their  leisure,  King  Arthur  was  led  into  a  chamber,  a 
richer  beseen  chamber  saw  he  never  none,  and  so  was  King 
Uriens  served,  and  led  into  such  another  chamber,  and  Sir 
Accolon  was  led  into  the  third  chamber  passing  richly  and 
well  beseen  ;  and  so  they  were  laid  in  their  beds  easily. 
And  anon  they  fell  asleep,  and  slept  marvellously  sore  all 
the  night.  And  on  the  morrow  King  Uriens  was  in  Camelot 
with  his  wife,  Morgan  le  Fay.  And  when  he  awoke  he  had 
great  marvel,  how  he  came  there,  for  on  the  even  afore  he 
was  two  days'  journey  from  Camelot.  And  when  King 
Arthur  awoke  he  found  himself  in  a  dark  prison,  hearing 
about  him  many  complaints  of  woful  knights. 

What  are  ye  that  so  complain  ?  said  King  Arthur.  We 
be  here  twenty  knights,  prisoners,  said  they,  and  some  of 
us  have  lain  here  seven  year,  and  some  more  and  some 
less.  For  what  cause  ?  said  Arthur.  We  shall  tell  you, 
said  the  knights  ;  this  lord  of  this  castle,  his  name  is  Sir 
Damas,  and  he  is  the  falsest  knight  that  liveth,  and  full  of 
treason,  and  a  very  coward  as  any  liveth,  and  he  hath  a 


34  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

younger  brother,  a  good  knight  of  prowess,  his  name  is 
Sir  Ontzlake  ;  and  this  traitor  Damas,  the  elder  brother, 
will  give  him  no  part  of  his  livelihood,  but  as  Sir  Ontzlake 
keepeth  thorough  prowess  of  his  hands,  and  so  he  keepeth 
from  him  a  full  fair  manor  and  a  rich,  and  therein  Sir 
Ontzlake  dwelleth  worshipfully,  and  is  well  beloved  of  all 
people.  And  this  Sir  Damas,  our  master,  is  as  evil  beloved, 
for  he  is  without  mercy,  and  he  is  a  coward,  and  great  war 
hath  been  betwixt  them  both,  but  Ontzlake  hath  ever  the 
better,  and  ever  he  proffereth  Sir  Damas  to  fight  for  the 
livelihood,  body  for  body,  but  he  will  not  do  ;  other-else 
to  find  a  knight  to  fight  for  him.  Unto  that  Sir  Damas 
hath  granted  to  find  a  knight,  but  he  is  so  evil  beloved  and 
hated,  that  there  is  never  a  knight  will  fight  for  him.  And 
when  Damas  saw  this,  that  there  was  never  a  knight  would 
fight  for  him,  he  hath  daily  lain  await  with  many  knights 
with  him,  and  taken  all  the  knights  in  this  country  to  see 
and  espy  their  adventures,  he  hath  taken  them  by  force 
and  brought  them  to  his  prison.  And  so  he  took  us  severally 
as  we  rode  on  our  adventures,  and  many  good  knights  have 
died  in  this  prison  for  hunger,  to  the  number  of  eighteen 
knights  ;  and  if  any  of  us  all  that  here  is,  or  hath  been, 
would  have  foughten  with  his  brother  Ontzlake,  he  would 
have  delivered  us,  but  for  because  this  Damas  is  so  false 
and  so  full  of  treason  we  would  never  fight  for  him  to  die 
for  it.  And  we  be  so  lean  for  hunger  that  unnethe  we 
may  stand  on  our  feet.  God  deliver  you,  for  his  mercy, 
said  Arthur. 

Anon,  therewithal  there  came  a  damosel  unto  Arthur, 
and  asked  him,  What  cheer  ?  I  cannot  say,  said  he.  Sir, 
said  she,  an  ye  will  fight  for  my  lord,  ye  shall  be  delivered 
out  of  prison,  and  else  ye  escape  never  the  life.     Now,  said 


HOW  ARTHUR  AGREED  TO  FIGHT         35 

Arthur,  that  is  hard,  yet  had  I  liefer  to  fight  with  a  knight 
than  to  die  in  prison  ;  with  this,  said  Arthur,  I  may  be 
delivered  and  all  these  prisoners,  I  will  do  the  battle.  Yes, 
said  the  damosel.  I  am  ready,  said  Arthur,  an  I  had  horse 
and  armour.  Ye  shall  lack  none,  said  the  damosel.  Me- 
seemeth,  damosel,  I  should  have  seen  you  in  the  court  of 
Arthur.  Nay,  said  the  damosel,  I  came  never  there,  I  am 
the  lord's  daughter  of  this  casde.  Yet  was  she  false,  for 
she  was  one  of  the  damosels  of  Morgan  le  Fay. 

Anon  she  went  unto  Sir  Damas,  and  told  him  how  he 
would  do  battle  for  him,  and  so  he  sent  for  Arthur.  And 
when  he  came  he  was  well  coloured,  and  well  made  of  his 
limbs,  that  all  knights  that  saw  him  said  it  were  pity  that 
such  a  knight  should  die  in  prison.  So  Sir  Damas  and  he 
were  agreed  that  he  should  fight  for  him  upon  this  covenant, 
that  all  other  knights  should  be  delivered  ;  and  unto  that 
was  Sir  Damas  sworn  unto  Arthur,  and  also  to  do  the  battle 
to  the  uttermost.  And  with  that  all  the  twenty  knights 
were  brought  out  of  the  dark  prison  into  the  hall,  and 
delivered,  and  so  they  all  abode  to  see  the  battle. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Accolon  of  Gaul,  that  when  he  awoke 
he  found  himself  by  a  deep  well-side,  within  half  a  foot,  in 
great  peril  of  death.  And  there  came  out  of  that  fountain 
a  pipe  of  silver,  and  out  of  that  pipe  ran  water  all  on  high 
in  a  stone  of  marble.  When  Sir  Accolon  saw  this,  he 
blessed  him  and  said,  Jesus  save  my  lord  King  Arthur,  and 
King  Uriens,  for  these  damosels  in  this  ship  have  betrayed 
us,  they  were  devils  and  no  women  ;  and  if  I  may  escape 
this  misadventure,  I  shall  destroy  all  where  I  may  find 
these  false  damosels  that  use  enchantments.  Right  with 
that  there  came  a  dwarf  with  a  great  mouth  and  a  flat  nose, 
and  saluted  Sir  Accolon,  and  said  how  he  came  from  Queen 


36  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

Morgan  le  Fay,  and  she  greeteth  you  well,  and  biddeth 
you  be  of  strong  heart,  for  ye  shall  fight  to-morrow  with 
a  knight  at  the  hour  of  prime,  and  therefore  she  hath  sent 
you  here  Excalibur,  Arthur's  sword,  and  the  scabbard,  and 
she  biddeth  you  as  ye  love  her,  that  ye  do  the  battle  to  the 
uttermost,  without  any  mercy,  like  as  ye  had  promised 
her  when  ye  spake  together  in  privity  ;  and  what  damosel 
that  bringeth  her  the  knight's  head,  which  ye  shall  fight 
withal,  she  will  make  her  a  queen.  Now  I  understand 
you  well,  said  Accolon,  I  shall  hold  that  I  have  promised 
her  now  I  have  the  sword  :  when  saw  ye  my  lady  Queen 
Morgan  le  Fay  ?  Right  late,  said  the  dwarf.  Then  Accolon 
took  him  in  his  arms  and  said,  Recommend  me  unto  my 
lady  queen,  and  tell  her  all  shall  be  done  that  I  have  promised 
her,  and  else  I  will  die  for  it.  Now  I  suppose,  said  Accolon, 
she  hath  made  all  these  crafts  and  enchantments  for  this 
battle.  Ye  may  well  believe  it,  said  the  dwarf.  Right 
so  there  came  a  knight  and  a  lady  with  six  squires,  and 
saluted  Accolon,  and  prayed  him  for  to  arise,  and  come 
and  rest  him  at  his  manor.  And  so  Accolon  mounted  upon 
a  void  horse,  and  went  with  the  knight  unto  a  fair  manor 
by  a  priory,  and  there  he  had  passing  good  cheer. 

Then  Sir  Damas  sent  unto  his  brother  Sir  Ontzlake, 
and  bade  make  him  ready  by  to-morn  at  the  hour  of  prime, 
and  to  be  in  the  field  to  fight  with  a  good  knight,  for  he 
had  found  a  good  knight  that  was  ready  to  do  battle  at  all 
points.  When  this  word  came  unto  Sir  Ontzlake  he  was 
passing  heavy,  for  he  was  wounded  a  little  to-fore  through 
both  his  thighs  with  a  spear,  and  made  great  dole  ;  but  as 
he  was  wounded,  he  would  have  taken  the  battle  on  hand. 
So  it  happed  at  that  time,  by  the  means  of  Morgan  le  Fay, 
Accolon  was  with  Sir  Ontzlake  lodged  ;  and  when  he  heard 


HOW  ARTHUR  FOUGHT  ACCOLON    37 

of  that  battle,  and  how  Ontzlake  was  wounded,  he  said  that 
he  would  fight  for  him.  Because  Morgan  le  Fay  had  sent 
him  Excalibur  and  the  sheath  for  to  fight  with  the  knight 
on  the  morn  :  this  was  the  cause  Sir  Accolon  took  the 
battle  on  hand.  Then  Sir  Ontzlake  was  passing  glad,  and 
thanked  Sir  Accolon  with  all  his  heart  that  he  would  do  so 
much  for  him.  And  therewithal  Sir  Ontzlake  sent  word 
unto  his  brother  Sir  Damas,  that  he  had  a  knight  that  for 
him  should  be  ready  in  the  field  by  the  hour  of  prime. 

So  on  the  morn  Sir  Arthur  was  armed  and  well  horsed, 
and  asked  Sir  Damas,  When  shall  we  to  the  field  ?  Sir, 
said  Sir  Damas,  ye  shall  hear  mass.  And  so  Arthur  heard 
a  mass,  and  when  mass  was  done  there  came  a  squire  on  a 
great  horse,  and  asked  Sir  Damas  if  his  knight  were  ready, 
for  our  knight  is  ready  in  the  field.  Then  Sir  Arthur 
mounted  upon  horseback,  and  there  were  all  the  knights 
and  commons  of  that  country  ;  and  so  by  all  advices  there 
were  chosen  twelve  good  men  of  the  country  for  to  wait 
upon  the  two  knights.  And  right  as  Arthur  was  on  horse- 
back there  came  a  damosel  from  Morgan  le  Fay,  and  brought 
unto  Sir  Arthur  a  sword  like  unto  Excalibur,  and  the  scab- 
bard, and  said  unto  Arthur,  Morgan  le  Fay  sendeth  here 
your  sword  for  great  love.  And  he  thanked  her,  and 
weened  it  had  been  so  ;  but  she  was  false,  for  the  sword  and 
the  scabbard  was  counterfeit,  and  brittle,  and  false. 

OF  THE  BATTLE  BETWEEN  KING  ARTHUR 
AND  ACCOLON,  AND  HOW  ACCOLON 
CONFESSED  THE  TREASON  OF  MORGAN 
LE  FAY.  And  then  they  dressed  them  on  both  parties  of 
the  field,  and  let  their  horses  run  so  fast  that  either  smote 
other  in  the  midst  of  the  shield  with  their  spear-heads,  that 


38  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

both  horse  and  man  went  to  the  earth  ;  and  then  they  started 
up  both,  and  pulled  out  their  swords.  The  meanwhile 
that  they  were  thus  at  the  batde,  came  the  Damosel  of  the 
Lake  into  the  field,  that  put  Merlin  under  the  stone  ;  and 
she  came  thither  for  love  of  King  Arthur,  for  she  knew 
how  Morgan  le  Fay  had  so  ordained  that  King  Arthur 
should  have  been  slain  that  day,  and  therefore  she  came 
to  save  his  life.  And  so  they  went  eagerly  to  the  battle, 
and  gave  many  great  strokes,  but  always  Arthur's  sword 
bit  not  like  Accolon's  sword  ;  but  for  the  most  part,  every 
stroke  that  Accolon  gave  he  wounded  sore  Arthur,  that 
it  was  marvel  he  stood,  and  always  his  blood  fell  from  him 
fast. 

When  Arthur  beheld  the  ground  so  sore  be-bled  he 
was  dismayed,  and  then  he  deemed  treason  that  his  sword 
was  changed  ;  for  his  sword  bit  not  steel  as  it  was  wont  to 
do,  therefore  he  dreaded  him  sore  to  be  dead,  for  ever  him 
seemed  that  the  sword  in  Accolon's  hand  was  Excalibur, 
for  at  every  stroke  that  Accolon  struck  he  drew  blood  on 
Arthur.  Now,  knight,  said  Accolon  unto  Arthur,  keep 
thee  well  from  me  ;  but  Arthur  answered  not  again,  and 
gave  him  such  a  buffet  on  the  helm  that  it  made  him  to 
stoop,  nigh  falling  down  to  the  earth.  Then  Sir  Accolon 
withdrew  him  a  little,  and  came  on  with  Excalibur  on  high, 
and  smote  Sir  Arthur  such  a  buffet  that  he  fell  nigh  to  the 
earth.  Then  were  they  wroth  both,  and  gave  each  other 
many  sore  strokes,  but  always  Sir  Arthur  lost  so  much 
blood  that  it  was  marvel  he  stood  on  his  feet,  but  he  was 
so  full  of  knighthood  that  knightly  he  endured  the  pain. 
Then  always  they  fought  together  as  fierce  knights,  and 
Sir  Arthur  withdrew  him  a  litde  for  to  rest  him,  and  Sir 
Accolon  called  him  to  batde  and  said,  It  is  no  time  for  me 


HOW  ARTHUR'S  SWORD  BRAKE  39 

to  suffer  thee  to  rest.  And  therewith  he  came  fiercely 
upon  Arthur,  and  Sir  Arthur  was  wroth  for  the  blood  that 
he  had  lost,  and  smote  Accolon  on  high  upon  the  helm, 
so  mightily,  that  he  made  him  nigh  to  fall  to  the  earth  ; 
and  therewith  Arthur's  sword  brast  at  the  cross,  and  fell 
in  the  grass  among  the  blood,  and  the  pommel  and  the 
sure  handles  he  held  in  his  hands.  When  Sir  Arthur  saw 
that,  he  was  in  great  fear  to  die,  but  always  he  held  up  his 
shield  and  lost  no  ground,  nor  bated  no  cheer. 

Then  Sir  Accolon  began  with  words  of  treason,  and  said, 
Knight,  thou  art  overcome,  and  mayst  not  endure,  and 
also  thou  art  weaponless,  and  thou  hast  lost  much  of  thy 
blood,  and  I  am  full  loath  to  slay  thee,  therefore  yield 
thee  to  me  as  recreant.  Nay,  said  Sir  Arthur,  I  may  not 
so,  for  I  have  promised  to  do  the  battle  to  the  uttermost, 
by  the  faith  of  my  body,  while  me  lasteth  the  life,  and 
therefore  I  had  liefer  to  die  with  honour  than  to  live  with 
shame  ;  and  if  it  were  possible  for  me  to  die  an  hundred 
times,  I  had  liefer  to  die  so  oft  than  yield  me  to  thee  ;  for 
though  I  lack  weapon,  I  shall  lack  no  worship,  and  if  thou 
slay  me  weaponless  that  shall  be  thy  shame.  Well,  said 
Accolon,  as  for  the  shame  I  will  not  spare  :  now  keep  thee 
from  me,  for  thou  art  but  a  dead  man.  And  therewith 
Accolon  gave  him  such  a  stroke  that  he  fell  nigh  to  the 
earth,  and  would  have  had  Arthur  to  have  cried  him  mercy. 
But  Sir  Arthur  pressed  unto  Accolon  with  his  shield,  and 
gave  him  with  the  pommel  in  his  hand  such  a  buffet  that 
he  went  three  strides  aback. 

When  the  Damosel  of  the  Lake  beheld  Arthur,  how 
full  of  prowess  his  body  was,  and  the  false  treason  that 
was  wrought  for  him  to  have  had  him  slain,  she  had  great 
pity  that  so  good  a  knight  and  such  a  man  of  worship  should 


40  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

so  be  destroyed.  And  at  the  next  stroke  Sir  Accolon 
struck  him  such  a  stroke  that  by  the  damosel's  enchantment 
the  sword  Excalibur  fell  out  of  Accolon's  hand  to  the  earth. 
And  therewithal  Sir  Arthur  lightly  leapt  to  it,  and  gat  it 
in  his  hand,  and  forthwithal  he  knew  that  it  was  his  sword 
Excalibur,  and  said,  Thou  hast  been  from  me  all  too  long, 
and  much  damage  hast  thou  done  me  ;  and  therewith  he 
espied  the  scabbard  hanging  by  his  side,  and  suddenly  he 
sterte  to  him  and  pulled  the  scabbard  from  him,  and  threw 
it  from  him  as  far  as  he  might  throw  it.  O  knight,  said 
Arthur,  this  day  hast  thou  done  me  great  damage  with  this 
sword  ;  now  are  ye  come  unto  your  death,  for  I  shall  not 
warrant  you  but  ye  shall  as  well  be  rewarded  with  this  sword, 
or  ever  we  depart,  as  thou  hast  rewarded  me  ;  for  much 
pain  have  ye  made  me  to  endure,  and  much  blood  have  I 
lost.  And  therewith  Sir  Arthur  rushed  on  him  with  all  his 
might  and  pulled  him  to  the  earth,  and  then  rushed  off 
his  helm,  and  gave  him  such  a  buffet  on  the  head  that  the 
blood  came  out  at  his  ears,  his  nose,  and  his  mouth.  Now 
will  I  slay  thee,  said  Arthur.  Slay  me  ye  may  well,  said 
Accolon,  an  it  please  you,  for  ye  are  the  best  knight  that 
ever  I  found,  and  I  see  well  that  God  is  with  you.  But 
for  I  promised  to  do  this  battle,  said  Accolon,  to  the  utter- 
most, and  never  to  be  recreant  while  I  lived,  therefore 
shall  I  never  yield  me  with  my  mouth,  but  God  do  with 
my  body  what  he  will.  Then  Sir  Arthur  remembered 
him,  and  thought  he  should  have  seen  this  knight.  Now 
tell  me,  said  Arthur,  or  I  will  slay  thee,  of  what  country 
art  thou,  and  of  what  court  ?  Sir  Knight,  said  Sir  Accolon, 
I  am  of  the  court  of  King  Arthur,  and  my  name  is  Accolon 
of  Gaul.  Then  was  Arthur  more  dismayed  than  he  was 
beforehand  ;    for   then  he  remembered   him  of  his  sister 


HOW  ACCOLON  CONFESSED  TREASON     41 

Morgan  le  Fay,  and  of  the  enchantment  of  the  ship.  O 
sir  knight,  said  he,  I  pray  you  tell  me  who  gave  you  this 
sword,  and  by  whom  ye  had  it. 

Then  Sir  Accolon  bethought  him,  and  said,  Woe  worth 
this  sword,  for  by  it  have  I  got  my  death.  It  may  well 
be,  said  the  king.  Now,  sir,  said  Accolon,  I  will  tell  you  ; 
this  sword  hath  been  in  my  keeping  the  most  part  of  this 
twelvemonth  ;  and  Morgan  le  Fay,  King  Uriens'  wife, 
sent  it  me  yesterday  by  a  dwarf,  to  this  intent,  that  I  should 
slay  King  Arthur,  her  brother.  For  ye  shall  understand 
King  Arthur  is  the  man  in  the  world  that  she  most  hateth, 
because  he  is  most  of  worship  and  of  prowess  of  any  of  her 
blood  ;  also  she  loveth  me  out  of  measure  as  paramour, 
and  I  her  again  ;  and  if  she  might  bring  about  to  slay 
Arthur  by  her  crafts,  she  would  slay  her  husband  King 
Uriens  lightly,  and  then  had  she  me  devised  to  be  king  in 
this  land,  and  so  to  reign,  and  she  to  be  my  queen  ;  but 
that  is  now  done,  said  Accolon,  for  I  am  sure  of  my  death. 
Well,  said  Sir  Arthur,  I  feel  by  you  ye  would  have  been 
king  in  this  land.  It  had  been  great  damage  to  have  de- 
stroyed your  lord,  said  Arthur.  It  is  truth,  said  Accolon, 
but  now  I  have  told  you  truth,  wherefore  I  pray  you  tell 
me  of  whence  ye  are,  and  of  what  court  ?  O  Accolon,  said 
King  Arthur,  now  I  let  thee  wit  that  I  am  King  Arthur, 
to  whom  thou  hast  done  great  damage.  When  Accolon 
heard  that  he  cried  aloud,  Fair,  sweet  lord,  have  mercy 
on  me,  for  I  knew  not  you.  O  Sir  Accolon,  said  King 
Arthur,  mercy  shalt  thou  have,  because  I  feel  by  thy  words 
at  this  time  thou  knewest  not  my  person  ;  but  I  understand 
well  by  thy  words  that  thou  hast  agreed  to  the  death  of  my 
person,  and  therefore  thou  art  a  traitor  ;  but  I  wite  thee 
the  less,  for  my  sister  Morgan  le  Fay  by  her  false  crafts 


42  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

made  thee  to  agree  and  consent  to  her  false  lusts,  but  I  shall 
be  sore  avenged  upon  her  an  I  live,  that  all  Christendom 
shall  speak  of  it ;  God  knoweth  I  have  honoured  her  and 
worshipped  her  more  than  all  my  kin,  and  more  have  I 
trusted  her  than  mine  own  wife  and  all  my  kin  after. 

Then  Sir  Arthur  called  the  keepers  of  the  field,  and 
said,  Sirs,  come  hither,  for  here  are  we  two  knights  that 
have  fought  unto  a  great  damage  unto  us  both,  and  like 
each  one  of  us  to  have  slain  other,  if  it  had  happed  so  ; 
and  had  any  of  us  known  other,  here  had  been  no  battle, 
nor  stroke  stricken.  Then  all  aloud  cried  Accolon  unto  all 
the  knights  and  men  that  were  then  there  gathered  together, 
and  said  to  them  in  this  manner,  O  lords,  this  noble  knight 
that  I  have  fought  withal,  the  which  me  sore  repenteth,  is 
the  most  man  of  prowess,  of  manhood,  and  of  worship  in 
the  world,  for  it  is  himself  King  Arthur,  our  alther  liege 
lord,  and  with  mishap  and  with  misadventure  have  I  done 
this  battle  with  the  king  and  lord  that  I  am  holden  withal. 

Then  all  the  people  fell  down  on  their  knees  and  cried 
King  Arthur  mercy.  Mercy  shall  ye  have,  said  Arthur  : 
here  may  ye  see  what  adventures  befall  ofttime  of  errant 
knights,  how  that  I  have  fought  with  a  knight  of  mine  own 
unto  my  great  damage  and  his  both.  But,  sirs,  because  I 
am  sore  hurt,  and  he  both,  and  I  had  great  need  of  a  little 
rest,  ye  shall  understand  the  opinion  betwixt  you  two 
brethren  :  As  to  thee,  Sir  Damas,  for  whom  I  have  been 
champion  and  won  the  field  of  this  knight,  yet  will  I  judge, 
because  ye,  Sir  Damas,  are  called  an  orgulous  knight,  and 
full  of  villainy  and  not  worth  of  prowess  of  your  deeds,  there- 
fore I  will  that  ye  give  unto  your  brother  all  the  whole 
manor  with  the  appurtenance,  under  this  form,  that  Sir 
Ontzlake  hold  the  manor  of  you,  and  yearly  to  give  you  a 


HOW  SIR  ACCOLON  DIED  43 

palfrey  to  ride  upon,  for  that  will  become  you  better  to  ride 
on  than  upon  a  courser.  Also  I  charge  thee,  Sir  Damas, 
upon  pain  of  death,  that  thou  never  distress  no  knights 
errant  that  ride  on  their  adventure.  And  also  that  thou 
restore  these  twenty  knights  that  thou  hast  long  kept 
prisoners,  of  all  their  harness,  that  they  be  content  for  ; 
and  if  any  of  them  come  to  my  court  and  complain  of  thee, 
by  my  head  thou  shalt  die  therefore.  Also,  Sir  Ontzlake, 
as  to  you,  because  ye  are  named  a  good  knight,  and  full  of 
prowess,  and  true  and  gentle  in  all  your  deeds,  this  shall 
be  your  charge  I  will  give  you,  that  in  all  goodly  haste  ye 
come  unto  me  and  my  court,  and  ye  shall  be  a  knight  of 
mine,  and  if  your  deeds  be  thereafter  I  shall  so  prefer  you, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  that  ye  shall  in  short  time  be  in  ease 
for  to  live  as  worshipfully  as  your  brother  Sir  Damas.  God 
thank  your  largeness  of  your  goodness  and  of  your  bounty, 
I  shall  be  from  henceforward  at  all  times  at  your  command- 
ment, said  Sir  Ontzlake.  Now,  tell  me,  said  Arthur,  how 
far  am  I  from  Camelot  ?  Sir,  ye  are  two  days'  journey 
therefrom.  I  would  fain  be  at  some  place  of  worship,  said 
Sir  Arthur,  that  I  might  rest  me.  Sir,  said  Sir  Ontzlake, 
hereby  is  a  rich  abbey  of  your  elders'  foundation,  of  nuns, 
but  three  miles  hence.  So  the  king  took  his  leave  of  all 
the  people,  and  mounted  upon  horseback,  and  Sir  Accolon 
with  him.  And  when  they  were  come  to  the  abbey,  he  let 
fetch  leeches  and  search  his  wounds  and  Accolon's  both  ; 
but  Sir  Accolon  died  within  four  days,  for  he  had  bled  so 
much  blood  that  he  might  not  live,  but  King  Arthur  was 
well  recovered.  So  when  Accolon  was  dead  he  let  send 
him  on  an  horse-bier  with  six  knights  unto  Camelot,  and 
said  :  Bear  him  to  my  sister  Morgan  le  Fay,  and  say  that 
I  send  her  him  to  a  present,  and  tell  her  I  have  my  sword 


44  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

Excalibur  and   the  scabbard  ;    so  they  departed  with  the 
body. 

HOW  QUEEN  MORGAN  LE 
FAY  MADE  GREAT  SORROW 
FOR  THE  DEATH  OF  ACCO- 
LON,  AND  HOW  SHE  STOLE 
AWAY  THE  SCABBARD  FROM 
ARTHUR,  AND  OF  THE 
MANTLE  SHE  SENT  TO  HIM.  Then  came  tidings 
unto  Morgan  le  Fay  that  Accolon  was  dead,  and  his  body 
brought  unto  the  church,  and  how  King  Arthur  had  his 
sword  again.  But  when  Queen  Morgan  wist  that  Accolon 
was  dead,  she  was  so  sorrowful  that  near  her  heart  to-brast. 
But  because  she  would  not  it  were  known,  outward  she  kept 
her  countenance,  and  made  no  semblant  of  sorrow.  But  well 
she  wist  an  she  abode  till  her  brother  Arthur  came  thither, 
there  should  no  gold  go  for  her  life. 

So  early  on  the  morn,  or  it  was  day,  she  took  her  horse 
and  rode  all  that  day  and  most  part  of  the  night,  and  on  the 
morn  by  noon  she  came  to  the  same  abbey  of  nuns  whereas 
lay  King  Arthur  ;  and  she  knowing  he  was  there,  asked 
where  he  was.  And  they  answered  how  he  had  laid  him 
in  his  bed  to  sleep,  for  he  had  had  but  little  rest  these  three 
nights.  Well,  said  she,  I  charge  you  that  none  of  you  awake 
him  till  I  do,  and  then  she  alighted  off  her  horse,  and  thought 
for  to  steal  away  Excalibur  his  sword,  and  so  she  went 
straight  unto  his  chamber,  and  no  man  durst  disobey  her 
commandment,  and  there  she  found  Arthur  asleep  in  his 
bed,  and  Excalibur  in  his  right  hand  naked.  When  she 
saw  that  she  was  passing  heavy  that  she  might  not  come 
by  the  sword  without  she  had  awaked  him,  and  then  she 


MORGAN  LE  FAY'S  TREASON  45 

wist  well  she  had  been  dead.  Then  she  took  the  scabbard 
and  went  her  way  on  horseback.  When  the  king  awoke 
and  missed  his  scabbard,  he  was  wroth,  and  he  asked  who 
had  been  there,  and  they  said  his  sister,  Queen  Morgan, 
had  been  there,  and  had  put  the  scabbard  under  her  mantle 
and  was  gone.  Alas,  said  Arthur,  falsely  ye  have  watched 
me.  Sir,  said  they  all,  we  durst  not  disobey  your  sister's 
commandment.  Ah,  said  the  king,  let  fetch  the  best  horse 
may  be  found,  and  bid  Sir  Ontzlake  arm  him  in  all  haste, 
and  take  another  good  horse  and  ride  with  me.  So  anon 
the  king  and  Ontzlake  were  well  armed,  and  rode  after 
this  lady,  and  so  they  came  by  a  cross  and  found  a  cowherd, 
and  they  asked  the  poor  man  if  there  came  any  lady  riding 
that  way.  Sir,  said  this  poor  man,  right  late  came  a  lady 
riding  with  a  forty  horses,  and  to  yonder  forest  she  rode 
Then  they  spurred  their  horses,  and  followed  fast,  and 
within  a  while  Arthur  had  a  sight  of  Morgan  le  Fay  ;  then 
he  chased  as  fast  as  he  might.  When  she  espied  him  follow- 
ing her,  she  rode  a  greater  pace  through  the  forest  till  she 
came  to  a  plain,  and  when  she  saw  she  might  not  escape, 
she  rode  unto  a  lake  thereby,  and  said,  Whatsoever  come 
of  me,  my  brother  shall  not  have  this  scabbard.  And  then 
she  let  throw  the  scabbard  in  the  deepest  of  the  water  so  it 
sank,  for  it  was  heavy  of  gold  and  precious  stones. 

Then  she  rode  into  a  valley  where  many  great  stones 
were,  and  when  she  saw  she  must  be  overtaken,  she  shaped 
herself,  horse  and  man,  by  enchantment  unto  a  great  marble 
stone.  Anon  withal  came  Sir  Arthur  and  Sir  Ontzlake 
whereas  the  king  might  know  his  sister  and  her  men,  and 
one  knight  from  another.  Ah,  said  the  king,  here  may  ye 
see  the  vengeance  of  God,  and  now  am  I  sorry  that  this 
misadventure   is    befallen.     And    then    he   looked    for    the 


46  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

scabbard,  but  it  would  not  be  found,  so  he  returned  to  the 
abbey  where  he  came  from.  So  when  Arthur  was  gone 
she  turned  all  into  the  likeliness  as  she  and  they  were  before, 
and  said,  Sirs,  now  may  we  go  where  we  will.  And  so  she 
departed  into  the  country  of  Gore,  and  there  was  she  richly 
received,  and  made  her  castles  and  towns  passing  strong, 
for  always  she  dreaded  much  King  Arthur. 

When  the  king  had  well  rested  him  at  the  abbey,  he 
rode  unto  Camelot,  and  found  his  queen  and  his  barons 
right  glad  of  his  coming.  And  when  they  heard  of  his 
strange  adventures  as  is  afore  rehearsed,  then  all  had  marvel 
of  the  falsehood  of  Morgan  le  Fay  ;  many  knights  wished 
her  burnt.  So  on  the  morn  there  came  a  damosel  from 
Morgan  to  the  king,  and  she  brought  with  her  the  richest 
mantle  that  ever  was  seen  in  that  court,  for  it  was  set  as 
full  of  precious  stones  as  one  might  stand  by  another,  and 
there  were  the  richest  stones  that  ever  the  king  saw.  And 
the  damosel  said,  Your  sister  sendeth  you  this  mantle,  and 
desireth  that  ye  should  take  this  gift  of  her  ;  and  in  what 
thing  she  hath  offended  you,  she  will  amend  it  at  your  own 
pleasure.  When  the  king  beheld  this  mantle  it  pleased 
him  much,  but  he  said  but  little. 

With  that  came  the  Damosel  of  the  Lake  unto  the  king, 
and  said,  Sir,  I  must  speak  with  you  in  privity.  Say  on, 
said  the  king,  what  ye  will.  Sir,  said  the  damosel,  put  not 
on  you  this  mantle  till  ye  have  seen  more,  and  in  no  wise 
let  it  not  come  on  you,  nor  on  no  knight  of  yours,  till  ye 
command  the  bringer  thereof  to  put  it  upon  her.  Well, 
said  King  Arthur,  it  shall  be  done  as  ye  counsel  me.  And 
then  he  said  unto  the  damosel  that  came  from  his  sister, 
Damosel,  this  mantle  that  ye  have  brought  me,  I  will  see 
it  upon  you.     Sir,  she  said,  It  will  not  beseem  me  to  wear 


when-'she/  saw-5hl- must-  be  overtake,. 
herselfhorseanpa\anbyenchantME/Ntunto-acke/ 

a1arbix' stone 


HOW  ARTHUR  WAS  SAVED  FROM  BURNING  47 

a  king's  garment.  By  my  head,  said  Arthur,  ye  shall 
wear  it  ere  it  come  on  my  back,  or  any  man's  that  here  is. 
And  so  the  king  made  it  to  be  put  upon  her,  and  forth- 
withal  she  fell  down  dead,  and  never  more  spake  word 
after  and  burnt  to  coals.  Then  was  the  king  wonderly 
wroth,  more  than  he  was  to-forehand,  and  said  unto  King 
Uriens,  My  sister,  your  wife,  is  alway  about  to  betray  me, 
and  well  I  wot  either  ye,  or  my  nephew,  your  son,  is  of 
counsel  with  her  to  have  me  destroyed  ;  but  as  for  you, 
said  the  king  to  King  Uriens,  I  deem  not  greatly  that  ye 
be  of  her  counsel,  for  Accolon  confessed  to  me  by  his  own 
mouth,  that  she  would  have  destroyed  you  as  well  as  me, 
therefore  I  hold  you  excused  ;  but  as  for  your  son,  Sir 
Uwaine,  I  hold  him  suspect,  therefore  I  charge  you  put 
him  out  of  my  court.  So  Sir  Uwaine  was  discharged. 
And  when  Sir  Gawaine  wist  that,  he  made  him  ready  to 
go  with  him  ;  and  said,  Whoso  banisheth  my  cousin- 
germain  shall  banish  me.     So  they  two  departed. 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  SIR  LIONEL 
DEPARTED  FROM  THE  COURT,  AND 
HOW  SIR  LIONEL  WAS  TAKEN,  AND 
HOW  FOUR  QUEENS  FOUND  SIR  LAUNCELOT 
SLEEPING  AND  LED  HIM  TO  A  CASTLE.  Then 
all  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round  resorted  unto  the  king, 
and  made  many  jousts  and  tournaments,  and  some  there 
were  that  were  but  knights,  which  increased  so  in  arms  and 
worship  that  they  passed  all  their  fellows  in  prowess  and  noble 
deeds,  and  that  was  well  proved  on  many  ;  but  in  especial 
it  was  proved  on  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  for  in  all  tourna- 
ments and  jousts  and  deeds  of  arms,  both  for  life  and  death, 
he  passed  all  other  knights,  and  at  no  time  he  was  never 
overcome  but  if  it  were  by  treason  or  enchantment.  Where- 
fore Queen  Guenever  had  him  in  great  favour  above  all 
other  knights,  and  in  certain  he  loved  the  queen  again  above 
all  other  ladies  and  damosels  of  his  life. 

Thus  Sir  Launcelot  rested  him  long  with  play  and 
game.  And  then  he  thought  himself  to  prove  himself  in 
strange  adventures  ;  then  he  bade  his  nephew,  Sir  Lionel, 
for  to  make  him  ready,  for  we  two  will  seek  adventures. 

48 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  SIR  LIONEL     49 

So  they  mounted  on  their  horses,  armed  at  all  rights,  and 
rode  into  a  deep  forest  and  so  into  a  deep  plain.  And  then 
the  weather  was  hot  about  noon,  and  Sir  Launcelot  had 
great  lust  to  sleep.  Then  Sir  Lionel  espied  a  great  apple- 
tree  that  stood  by  an  hedge,  and  said,  Brother,  yonder 
is  a  fair  shadow,  there  may  we  rest  us  and  our  horses.  It 
is  well  said,  fair  brother,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  this  eight 
year  I  was  not  so  sleepy  as  I  am  now  ;  and  so  they  there 
alighted  and  tied  their  horses  unto  sundry  trees,  and  so  Sir 
Launcelot  laid  him  down  under  an  apple-tree,  and  his  helm 
he  laid  under  his  head.  And  Sir  Lionel  waked  while  he 
slept.     So  Sir  Launcelot  was  asleep  passing  fast. 

And  in  the  meanwhile  there  came  three  knights  riding, 
as  fast  fleeing  as  ever  they  might  ride.  And  there  followed 
them  three  but  one  knight.  And  when  Sir  Lionel  saw  him, 
him  thought  he  saw  never  so  great  a  knight,  nor  so  well 
faring  a  man,  neither  so  well  apparelled  unto  all  rights. 
So  within  a  while  this  strong  knight  had  overtaken  one  of 
these  knights,  and  there  he  smote  him  to  the  cold  earth 
that  he  lay  still.  And  then  he  rode  unto  the  second  knight, 
and  smote  him  so  that  man  and  horse  fell  down.  And  then 
straight  to  the  third  knight  he  rode,  and  smote  him  behind 
his  horse's  arse  a  spear  length.  And  then  he  alighted 
down  and  reined  his  horse  on  the  bridle,  and  bound  all  the 
three  knights  fast  with  the  reins  of  their  own  bridles.  When 
Sir  Lionel  saw  him  do  thus,  he  thought  to  assay  him,  and 
made  him  ready,  and  stilly  and  privily  he  took  his  horse, 
and  thought  not  for  to  awake  Sir  Launcelot.  And  when 
he  was  mounted  upon  his  horse,  he  overtook  this  strong 
knight,  and  bade  him  turn,  and  the  other  smote  Sir  Lionel 
so  hard  that  horse  and  man  he  bare  to  the  earth,  and  so  he 
alighted  down  and  bound  him  fast,  and  threw  him  over- 


50  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

thwart  his  own  horse,  and  so  he  served  them  all  four,  and 
rode  with  them  away  to  his  own  casde.  And  when  he  came 
there  he  gart  unarm  them,  and  beat  them  with  thorns  all 
naked,  and  after  put  them  in  a  deep  prison  where  were 
many  more  knights,  that  made  great  dolour. 

Now  leave  we  these  knights  prisoners,  and  speak  we  of 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  that  lieth  under  the  apple-tree 
sleeping.  Even  about  the  noon  there  came  by  him  four 
queens  of  great  estate  ;  and,  for  the  heat  should  not  annoy 
them,  there  rode  four  knights  about  them,  and  bare  a  cloth 
of  green  silk  on  four  spears,  betwixt  them  and  the  sun,  and 
the  queens  rode  on  four  white  mules.  Thus  as  they  rode 
they  heard  by  them  a  great  horse  grimly  neigh ;  then  were 
they  ware  of  a  sleeping  knight,  that  lay  all  armed  under  an 
apple-tree  ;  anon  as  these  queens  looked  on  his  face,  they 
knew  it  was  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  they  began  for  to  strive 
for  that  knight,  everych  one  said  they  would  have  him  to 
her  love.  We  shall  not  strive,  said  Morgan  le  Fay,  that 
was  King  Arthur's  sister,  I  shall  put  an  enchantment  upon 
him  that  he  shall  not  awake  in  six  hours,  and  then  I  will 
lead  him  away  unto  my  castle,  and  when  he  is  surely  within 
my  hold,  I  shall  take  the  enchantment  from  him,  and  then 
let  him  choose  which  of  us  he  will  have  for  his  love. 

So  this  enchantment  was  cast  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
then  they  laid  him  upon  his  shield,  and  bare  him  so  on 
horseback  betwixt  two  knights,  and  brought  him  unto  the 
castle  Chariot,  and  there  they  laid  him  in  a  chamber  cold, 
and  at  night  they  sent  unto  him  a  fair  damosel  with  his 
supper  ready  dight.  By  that  the  enchantment  was  past, 
and  when  she  came  she  saluted  him,  and  asked  him  what 
cheer.  I  cannot  say,  fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for 
I  wot  not  how  I  came  into  this  casde  but  it  be  by  an  enchant- 


OF  FOUR  QUEENS  AND  SIR  LAUNCELOT    51 

ment.  Sir,  said  she,  ye  must  make  good  cheer,  and  if  ye 
be  such  a  knight  as  it  is  said  ye  be,  I  shall  tell  you  more 
to-morn  by  prime  of  the  day.  Gramercy,  fair  damosel, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  of  your  good  will  I  require  you.  And 
so  she  departed.  And  there  he  lay  all  that  night  without 
comfort  of  anybody.  And  on  the  morn  early  came  these 
four  queens,  passingly  well  beseen,  all  they  bidding  him 
good  morn,  and  he  them  again. 

Sir  knight,  the  four  queens  said,  thou  must  understand 
thou  art  our  prisoner,  and  we  here  know  thee  well  that 
thou  art  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  King  Ban's  son,  and  because 
we  understand  your  worthiness,  that  thou  art  the  noblest 
knight  living,  and  as  we  know  well  there  can  no  lady  have 
thy  love  but  one,  and  that  is  Queen  Guenever,  and  now 
thou  shalt  lose  her  for  ever,  and  she  thee,  and  therefore 
thee  behoveth  now  to  choose  one  of  us  four.  I  am  the 
Queen  Morgan  le  Fay,  queen  of  the  land  of  Gore,  and 
here  is  the  queen  of  Northgalis,  and  the  queen  of  Easdand, 
and  the  queen  of  the  Out  Isles  ;  now  choose  one  of  us 
which  thou  wilt  have  to  thy  love,  or  else  in  this  prison  to 
die.  This  is  an  hard  case,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  either 
I  must  die  or  else  choose  one  of  you,  yet  had  I  liefer  to  die 
in  this  prison  with  worship,  than  to  have  one  of  you  to  my 
love  maugre  my  head.  And  therefore  ye  be  answered,  I 
will  none  of  you,  for  ye  be  false  enchantresses,  and  as  for 
my  lady,  Dame  Guenever,  were  I  at  my  liberty  as  I  was, 
I  would  prove  it  on  you  or  on  yours,  that  she  is  the  truest 
lady  unto  her  lord  living.  Well,  said  the  queens,  is  this 
your  answer,  that  ye  will  refuse  us  ?  Yea,  on  my  life,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  refused  ye  be  of  me.  So  they  departed  and 
left  him  there  alone  that  made  great  sorrow. 


52 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  DELIVERED 
BY  THE  MEAN  OF  A  DAMOSEL,  AND 
FOUGHT  FOR  HER  FATHER,  KING  BAGDE- 
MAGUS,  IN  A  TOURNAMENT.  Right  so  at  the 
noon  came  the  damosel  unto  him  with  his  dinner,  and  asked 
him  what  cheer.  Truly,  fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
in  my  life  days  never  so  ill.  Sir,  she  said,  that  me  re- 
penteth,  but  an  ye  will  be  ruled  by  me,  I  shall  help  you 
out  of  this  distress,  and  ye  shall  have  no  shame  nor 
villainy,  so  that  ye  hold  me  a  promise.  Fair  damosel,  I 
will  grant  you,  and  sore  I  am  of  these  queen-sorceresses 
afeard,  for  they  have  destroyed  many  a  good  knight.  Sir, 
said  she,  that  is  sooth,  and  for  the  renown  and  bounty  that 
they  hear  of  you  they  would  have  your  love,  and  Sir,  they 
say,  your  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  the  flower  of 
knights,  and  they  be  passing  wroth  with  you  that  ye  have 
refused  them.  But  Sir,  an  ye  would  promise  me  to  help 
my  father  on  Tuesday  next  coming,  that  hath  made  a 
tournament  betwixt  him  and  the  King  of  Northgalis — for 
the  last  Tuesday  past  my  father  lost  the  field  through  three 
knights  of  Arthur's  court — an  ye  will  be  there  on  Tuesday 
next  coming,  and  help  my  father,  to-morn  ere  prime,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  I  shall  deliver  you  clean.  Fair  maiden,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  tell  me  what  is  your  father's  name,  and  then 
shall  I  give  you  an  answer.  Sir  knight,  she  said,  my  father 
is  King  Bagdemagus,  that  was  foul  rebuked  at  the  last 
tournament.  I  know  your  father  well,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
for  a  noble  king  and  a  good  knight,  and  by  the  faith  of  my 
body,  ye  shall  have  my  body  ready  to  do  your  father  and 
you  service  at  that  day.  Sir,  she  said,  gramercy,  and  to- 
morn  await  ye  be  ready  betimes,  and  I  shall  be  she  that  shall 
deliver   you  and   take  you   your  armour  and   your  horse, 


HOW  A  DAMOSEL  RELEASED  LAUNCELOT   53 

shield  and  spear,  and  hereby,  within  this  ten  mile,  is  an 
abbey  of  white  monks,  there  I  pray  you  that  ye  me  abide, 
and  thither  shall  I  bring  my  father  unto  you.  All  this 
shall  be  done,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  as  I  am  true  knight. 

And  so  she  departed,  and  came  on  the  morn  early,  and 
found  him  ready  ;  then  she  brought  him  out  of  twelve 
locks,  and  brought  him  unto  his  armour,  and  when  he  was 
clean  armed,  she  brought  him  until  his  own  horse,  and 
lightly  he  saddled  him  and  took  a  great  spear  in  his  hand, 
and  so  rode  forth,  and  said,  Fair  damosel,  I  shall  not  fail 
you,  by  the  grace  of  God.  And  so  he  rode  in  a  great  forest 
all  that  day  and  never  could  find  no  highway,  but  the  next 
day  he  came  to  the  abbey. 

And  soon  as  Sir  Launcelot  came  within  the  abbey  yard, 
the  daughter  of  King  Bagdemagus  heard  a  great  horse  go 
on  the  pavement.  And  she  then  arose  and  went  unto  a 
window,  and  there  she  saw  Sir  Launcelot,  and  anon  she 
made  men  fast  to  take  his  horse  from  him  and  let  lead  him 
into  a  stable,  and  himself  was  led  into  a  fair  chamber,  and 
unarmed  him,  and  the  lady  sent  him  a  long  gown,  and  anon 
she  came  herself.  And  then  she  made  Launcelot  passing 
good  cheer,  and  she  said  he  was  the  knight  in  the  world 
was  most  welcome  to  her.  Then  in  all  haste  she  sent  for 
her  father  Bagdemagus  that  was  within  twelve  mile  of  that 
Abbey,  and  afore  even  he  came,  with  a  fair  fellowship  of 
knights  with  him.  And  when  the  king  was  alighted  off 
his  horse  he  went  straight  unto  Sir  Launcelot's  chamber 
and  there  he  found  his  daughter,  and  then  the  king  embraced 
Sir  Launcelot  in  his  arms,  and  either  made  other  good 
cheer. 

Anon  Sir  Launcelot  made  his  complaint  unto  the  king 
how  he  was  betrayed,  and  how  his  brother  Sir  Lionel  was 


54  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

departed  from  him  he  wist  not  where,  and  how  his  daughter 
had  delivered  him  out  of  prison  ;  Therefore  while  I  live 
I  shall  do  her  service  and  all  her  kindred.  Then  am  I  sure 
of  your  help,  said  the  king,  on  Tuesday  next  coming.  Yea, 
sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  shall  not  fail  you,  for  so  I  have 
promised  my  lady  your  daughter.  But,  sir,  what  knights 
be  they  of  my  lord  Arthur's  that  were  with  the  King  of 
Northgalis  ?  And  the  king  said  it  was  Sir  Mador  de  la 
Porte,  and  Sir  Mordred  and  Sir  Gahalantine  that  all  for- 
fared  my  knights,  for  against  them  three  I  nor  my  knights 
might  bear  no  strength.  Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  as  I  hear 
say  that  the  tournament  shall  be  here  within  this  three  mile 
of  this  abbey,  ye  shall  send  unto  me  three  knights  of  yours, 
such  as  ye  trust,  and  look  that  the  three  knights  have  all 
white  shields,  and  I  also,  and  no  painture  on  the  shields, 
and  we  four  will  come  out  of  a  little  wood  in  midst  of  both 
parties,  and  we  shall  fall  in  the  front  of  our  enemies  and 
grieve  them  that  we  may  ;  and  thus  shall  I  not  be  known 
what  knight  I  am. 

So  they  took  their  rest  that  night,  and  this  was  on  the 
Sunday,  and  so  the  king  departed,  and  sent  unto  Sir  Launce- 
lot three  knights  with  the  four  white  shields.  And  on  the 
Tuesday  they  lodged  them  in  a  little  leaved  wood  beside 
there  the  tournament  should  be.  And  there  were  scaffolds 
and  holes  that  lords  and  ladies  might  behold  and  to  give 
the  prize.  Then  came  into  the  field  the  King  of  North- 
galis with  eight  score  helms.  And  then  the  three  knights 
of  Arthur's  stood  by  themselves.  Then  came  into  the 
field  King  Bagdemagus  with  four  score  of  helms.  And 
then  they  feutred  their  spears,  and  came  together  with  a 
great  dash,  and  there  were  slain  of  knights  at  the  first  re- 
counter  twelve  of  King  Bagdemagus'  party,  and  six  of  the 


SIR  LAUNCELOT  IN  A  TOURNAMENT      55 

King  of  Northgalis'  party,  and  King  Bagdemagus'  party 
was  far  set  aback. 

With  that  came  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and  he  thrust  in 
with  his  spear  in  the  thickest  of  the  press,  and  there  he 
smote  down  with  one  spear  five  knights,  and  of  four  of 
them  he  brake  their  backs.  And  in  that  throng  he  smote 
down  the  King  of  Northgalis,  and  brake  his  thigh  in  that 
fall.  All  this  doing  of  Sir  Launcelot  saw  the  three  knights 
of  Arthur's.  Yonder  is  a  shrewd  guest,  said  Sir  Mador 
de  la  Porte,  therefore  have  here  once  at  him.  So  they 
encountered,  and  Sir  Launcelot  bare  him  down  horse  and 
man,  so  that  his  shoulder  went  out  of  lith.  Now  befalleth 
it  to  me  to  joust,  said  Mordred,  for  Sir  Mador  hath  a  sore 
fall.  Sir  Launcelot  was  ware  of  him,  and  gat  a  great  spear 
in  his  hand,  and  met  him,  and  Sir  Mordred  brake  a  spear 
upon  him,  and  Sir  Launcelot  gave  him  such  a  buffet  that 
the  arson  of  his  saddle  brake,  and  so  he  flew  over  his  horse's 
tail,  that  his  helm  butted  into  the  earth  a  foot  and  more, 
that  nigh  his  neck  was  broken,  and  there  he  lay  long  in  a 
swoon. 

Then  came  in  Sir  Gahalantine  with  a  great  spear  and 
Launcelot  against  him,  with  all  their  strength  that  they 
might  drive,  that  both  their  spears  to-brast  even  to  their 
hands,  and  then  they  flang  out  with  their  swords  and  gave 
many  a  grim  stroke.  Then  was  Sir  Launcelot  wroth  out 
of  measure,  and  then  he  smote  Sir  Gahalantine  on  the  helm 
that  his  nose  brast  out  on  blood,  and  ears  and  mouth  both, 
and  therewith  his  head  hung  low.  And  therewith  his 
horse  ran  away  with  him,  and  he  fell  down  to  the  earth. 
Anon  therewithal  Sir  Launcelot  gat  a  great  spear  in  his 
hand,  and  or  ever  that  great  spear  brake,  he  bare  down  to 
the  earth  sixteen  knights,  some  horse  and  man,  and  some 


56  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

the  man  and  not  the  horse,  and  there  was  none  but  that  he 
hit  surely,  he  bare  none  arms  that  day.  And  then  he  gat 
another  great  spear,  and  smote  down  twelve  knights,  and 
the  most  part  of  them  never  throve  after.  And  then  the 
knights  of  the  King  of  Northgalis  would  joust  no  more. 
And  there  the  gree  was  given  to  King  Bagdemagus. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  FOUGHT  WITH 
SIR  TURQUINE  AND  SLEW  HIM,  AND 
SENT  SIR  GAHERIS  TO  DELIVER  ALL 
SIR  TURQUINE'S  PRISONERS.  So  either 
party  departed  unto  his  own  place,  and  Sir 
Launcelot  rode  forth  with  King  Bagdemagus  unto  his 
casde,  and  there  he  had  passing  good  cheer  both  with  the 
king  and  with  his  daughter,  and  they  proffered  him  great 
gifts.  And  on  the  morn  he  took  his  leave,  and  told  the 
king  that  he  would  go  and  seek  his  brother  Sir  Lionel, 
that  went  from  him  when  that  he  slept ;  so  he  took  his 
horse,  and  betaught  them  all  to  God.  And  there  he  said 
unto  the  king's  daughter,  If  ye  have  need  any  time  of 
my  service  I  pray  you  let  me  have  knowledge,  and  I 
shall  not  fail  you  as  I  am  true  knight.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot 
departed,  and  by  adventure  he  came  into  the  same  forest 
there  he  was  taken  sleeping.  And  in  the  midst  of  a  high- 
way he  met  a  damosel  riding  on  a  white  palfrey,  and  there 
either  saluted  other.  Fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  know 
ye  in  this  country  any  adventures  ?  Sir  knight,  said  that 
damosel,  here  are  adventures  near  hand,  an  thou  durst  prove 
them.  Why  should  I  not  prove  adventures?  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  that  cause  come  I  hither.  Well,  said  she,  thou 
seemest  well  to  be  a  good  knight,  and  if  thou  dare  meet  with 
a  good  knight,  I  shall  bring  thee  where  is  the  best  knight, 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  FOUGHT  SIR  TURQUINE  57 

and  the  mightiest  that  ever  thou  found,  so  thou  wilt  tell  me 
what  is  thy  name,  and  what  knight  thou  art.  Damosel,  as  for 
to  tell  thee  my  name  I  take  no  great  force  ;  truly  my  name 
is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Sir,  thou  beseemest  well,  here  be 
adventures  by  that  fall  for  thee,  for  hereby  dwelleth  a  knight 
that  will  not  be  overmatched  for  no  man  I  know  but  ye 
overmatch  him,  and  his  name  is  Sir  Turquine.  And,  as  I 
understand,  he  hath  in  his  prison,  of  Arthur's  court,  good 
knights  three  score  and  four,  that  he  hath  won  with  his  own 
hands.  But  when  ye  have  done  that  journey  ye  shall  promise 
me  as  ye  are  a  true  knight  for  to  go  with  me,  and  to  help 
me  and  other  damosels  that  are  distressed  daily  with  a  false 
knight.  All  your  intent,  damosel,  and  desire  I  will  fulfil,  so 
ye  will  bring  me  unto  this  knight.  Now,  fair  knight,  come 
on  your  way  ;  and  so  she  brought  him  unto  the  ford  and 
the  tree  where  hung  the  basin. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  let  his  horse  drink,  and  then  he  beat 
on  the  basin  with  the  butt  of  his  spear  so  hard  with  all  his 
might  till  the  bottom  fell  out,  and  long  he  did  so,  but  he 
saw  nothing.  Then  he  rode  endlong  the  gates  of  that 
manor  nigh  half-an-hour.  And  then  was  he  ware  of  a 
great  knight  that  drove  an  horse  afore  him,  and  overthwart 
the  horse  there  lay  an  armed  knight  bound.  And  ever  as 
they  came  near  and  near,  Sir  Launcelot  thought  he  should 
know  him.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  was  ware  that  it  was  Sir 
Gaheris,  Gawaine's  brother,  a  knight  of  the  Table  Round. 
Now,  fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  see  yonder  cometh 
a  knight  fast  bounden  that  is  a  fellow  of  mine,  and  brother 
he  is  unto  Sir  Gawaine.  And  at  the  first  beginning  I 
promise  you,  by  the  leave  of  God,  to  rescue  that  knight  ; 
but  if  his  master  sit  better  in  the  saddle  I  shall  deliver  all 
the  prisoners  that  he  hath  out  of  danger,  for  I  am  sure  he 


58  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

hath  two  brethren  of  mine  prisoners  with  him.  By  that 
time  that  either  had  seen  other,  they  gripped  their  spears 
unto  them.  Now,  fair  knight,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  put  that 
wounded  knight  off  the  horse,  and  let  him  rest  awhile,  and 
let  us  two  prove  our  strengths  ;  for  as  it  is  informed  me, 
thou  doest  and  hast  done  great  despite  and  shame  unto 
knights  of  the  Round  Table,  and  therefore  now  defend 
thee.  An  thou  be  of  the  Table  Round,  said  Turquine,  I 
defy  thee  and  all  thy  fellowship.  That  is  overmuch  said, 
said  Sir  Launcelot. 

And  then  they  put  their  spears  in  the  rests,  and  came 
together  with  their  horses  as  fast  as  they  might  run,  and  either 
smote  other  in  midst  of  their  shields,  that  both  their  horses' 
backs  brast  under  them,  and  the  knights  were  both  astonied. 
And  as  soon  as  they  might  avoid  their  horses,  they  took  their 
shields  afore  them,  and  drew  out  their  swords,  and  came 
together  eagerly,  and  either  gave  other  many  strong  strokes, 
for  there  might  neither  shields  nor  harness  hold  their  strokes. 
And  so  within  a  while  they  had  both  grimly  wounds,  and 
bled  passing  grievously.  Thus  they  fared  two  hours  or 
more  trasing  and  rasing  either  other,  where  they  might  hit 
any  bare  place. 

Then  at  the  last  they  were  breathless  both,  and  stood 
leaning  on  their  swords.  Now  fellow,  said  Sir  Turquine, 
hold  thy  hand  a  while,  and  tell  me  what  I  shall  ask  thee. 
Say  on.  Then  Turquine  said,  Thou  art  the  biggest  man 
that  ever  I  met  withal,  and  the  best  breathed,  and  like  one 
knight  that  I  hate  above  all  other  knights  ;  so  be  it  that 
thou  be  not  he  I  will  lightly  accord  with  thee,  and  for  thy 
love  I  will  deliver  all  the  prisoners  that  I  have,  that  is  three 
score  and  four,  so  thou  wilt  tell  me  thy  name.  And  thou 
and  I  we  will  be  fellows  together,  and  never  to  fail  thee 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  FOUGHT  SIR  TURQUINE  59 

while  that  I  live.  It  is  well  said,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  but 
sithen  it  is  so  that  I  may  have  thy  friendship,  what  knight 
is  he  that  thou  so  hatest  above  all  other  ?  Faithfully,  said 
Sir  Turquine,  his  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  for  he 
slew  my  brother,  Sir  Carados,  at  the  dolorous  tower,  that  was 
one  of  the  best  knights  alive  ;  and  therefore  him  I  except  of 
all  knights,  for  may  I  once  meet  with  him,  the  one  of  us 
shall  make  an  end  of  other,  I  make  mine  avow.  And  for  Sir 
Launcelot's  sake  I  have  slain  an  hundred  good  knights,  and 
as  many  I  have  maimed  all  utterly  that  they  might  never 
after  help  themselves,  and  many  have  died  in  prison,  and 
yet  have  I  three  score  and  four,  and  all  shall  be  delivered 
so  thou  wilt  tell  me  thy  name,  so  be  it  that  thou  be  not  Sir 
Launcelot. 

Now,  see  I  well,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  such  a  man  I 
might  be,  I  might  have  peace,  and  such  a  man  I  might  be, 
that  there  should  be  war  mortal  betwixt  us.  And  now, 
sir  knight,  at  thy  request  I  will  that  thou  wit  and  know 
that  I  am  Launcelot  du  Lake,  King  Ban's  son  of  Benwick, 
and  very  knight  of  the  Table  Round.  And  now  I  defy 
thee,  and  do  thy  best.  Ah,  said  Turquine,  Launcelot, 
thou  art  unto  me  most  welcome  that  ever  was  knight,  for 
we  shall  never  depart  till  the  one  of  us  be  dead.  Then 
they  hurtled  together  as  two  wild  bulls  rashing  and  lashing 
with  their  shields  and  swords,  that  sometime  they  fell  both 
over  their  noses.  Thus  they  fought  still  two  hours  and 
more,  and  never  would  have  rest,  and  Sir  Turquine  gave 
Sir  Launcelot  many  wounds  that  all  the  ground  thereas 
they  fought  was  all  bespeckled  with  blood. 

Then  at  the  last  Sir  Turquine  waxed  faint,  and  gave 
somewhat  aback,  and  bare  his  shield  low  for  weariness. 
That  espied   Sir   Launcelot,   and  leapt  upon  him  fiercely 


60  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

and  gat  him  by  the  beaver  of  his  helmet,  and  plucked  him 
down  on  his  knees,  and  anon  he  raced  off  his  helm,  and 
smote  his  neck  in  sunder.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  had 
done  this,  he  went  unto  the  damosel  and  said,  Damosel, 
I  am  ready  to  go  with  you  where  ye  will  have  me,  but  I 
have  no  horse.  Fair  sir,  said  she,  take  this  wounded  knight's 
horse  and  send  him  into  this  manor,  and  command  him  to 
deliver  all  the  prisoners.  So  Sir  Launcelot  went  unto 
Gaheris,  and  prayed  him  not  to  be  aggrieved  for  to  lend 
him  his  horse.  Nay,  fair  lord,  said  Gaheris,  I  will  that  ye 
take  my  horse  at  your  own  commandment,  for  ye  have  both 
saved  me  and  my  horse,  and  this  day  I  say  ye  are  the  best 
knight  in  the  world,  for  ye  have  slain  this  day  in  my  sight 
the  mightiest  man  and  the  best  knight  except  you  that  ever 
I  saw,  and,  fair  sir,  said  Gaheris,  I  pray  you  tell  me  your 
name.  Sir,  my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  that  ought 
to  help  you  of  right  for  King  Arthur's  sake,  and  in  especial 
for  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine's  sake,  your  own  dear  brother  ; 
and  when  that  ye  come  within  yonder  manor,  I  am  sure 
ye  shall  find  there  many  knights  of  the  Round  Table,  for 
I  have  seen  many  of  their  shields  that  I  know  on  yonder 
tree.  Wherefore  I  pray  you  greet  them  all  from  me,  and 
say  that  I  bid  them  take  such  stuff  there  as  they  find,  and 
that  in  any  wise  my  brethren  go  unto  the  court  and  abide 
me  there  till  that  I  come,  for  by  the  feast  of  Pentecost  I  cast 
me  to  be  there,  for  as  at  this  time  I  must  ride  with  this 
damosel  for  to  save  my  promise. 

And  so  he  departed  from  Gaheris,  and  Gaheris  went 
into  the  manor,  and  there  he  found  a  yeoman  porter  keeping 
there  many  keys.  Anon  withal  Sir  Gaheris  threw  the 
porter  unto  the  ground  and  took  the  keys  from  him,  and 
nastily  he  opened  the  prison  door,  and  there  he  let  out  all 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  RODE  WITH  A  DAMOSEL   61 

the  prisoners,  and  every  man  loosed  other  of  their  bonds. 
And  when  they  saw  Sir  Gaheris,  all  they  thanked  him, 
for  they  weened  that  he  was  wounded.  Not  so,  said  Gaheris, 
it  was  Launcelot  that  slew  him  worshipfully  with  his  own 
hands.  I  saw  it  with  mine  own  eyes.  And  he  greeteth 
you  all  well,  and  prayeth  you  to  haste  you  to  the  court. 

Then  all  those  knights  sought  the  house  thereas  the 
armour  was,  and  then  they  armed  them,  and  every  knight 
found  his  own  horse,  and  all  that  ever  longed  unto  him. 
And  when  this  was  done,  there  came  a  forester  with  four 
horses  laden  with  fat  venison.  Anon,  Sir  Kay  said,  Here 
is  good  meat  for  us  for  one  meal,  for  we  had  not  many  a 
day  no  good  repast.  And  so  that  venison  was  roasted, 
baken,  and  sodden,  and  so  after  supper  some  abode  there 
all  night,  but  Sir  Lionel  and  Ector  de  Maris  and  Sir  Kay 
•  rode  after  Sir  Launcelot  to  find  him  if  they  might. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  RODE  WITH  A 
DAMOSEL  AND  SLEW  A  KNIGHT  THAT 
DISTRESSED  ALL  LADIES  AND  HOW  HE 
DELIVERED  SIR  KAY.  Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
that  rode  with  the  damosel  in  a  fair  highway.  Sir,  said  the 
damosel,  here  by  this  way  haunteth  a  knight  that  distresseth 
all  ladies  and  gendewomen,  and  at  the  least  he  robbeth  them 
or  lieth  by  them.  What,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  is  he  a  thief 
and  a  knight  and  a  ravisher  of  women  ?  he  doth  shame  unto 
the  order  of  knighthood,  and  contrary  unto  his  oath  ;  it  is 
pity  that  he  liveth.  But,  fair  damosel,  ye  shall  ride  on  afore, 
yourself,  and  I  will  keep  myself  in  covert,  and  if  that  he 
trouble  you  or  distress  you  I  shall  be  your  rescue  and  learn 
him  to  be  ruled  as  a  knight. 

So  the  maid  rode  on  by  the  way  a  soft  ambling  pace, 


62  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

and  within  a  while  came  out  that  knight  on  horseback 
out  of  the  wood,  and  his  page  with  him,  and  there  he  put 
the  damosel  from  her  horse,  and  then  she  cried.  With  that 
came  Launcelot  as  fast  as  he  might  till  he  came  to  that 
knight,  saying,  O  thou  false  knight  and  traitor  unto  knight- 
hood, who  did  learn  thee  to  distress  ladies  and  gentlewomen  ? 
When  the  knight  saw  Sir  Launcelot  thus  rebuking  him  he 
answered  not,  but  drew  his  sword  and  rode  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  Sir  Launcelot  threw  his  spear  from  him,  and  drew  out 
his  sword,  and  struck  him  such  a  buffet  on  the  helmet  that 
he  clave  his  head  and  neck  unto  the  throat.  Now  hast  thou 
thy  payment  that  long  thou  hast  deserved  !  That  is  truth, 
said  the  damosel,  for  like  as  Sir  Turquine  watched  to  destroy 
knights,  so  did  this  knight  attend  to  destroy  and  distress 
ladies,  damosels,  and  gentlewomen,  and  his  name  was  Sir 
Peris  de  Forest  Savage.  Now,  damosel,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
will  ye  any  more  service  of  me  ?  Nay,  sir,  she  said,  at  this 
time,  but  almighty  Jesu  preserve  you  wheresomever  ye 
ride  or  go,  for  the  curteist  knight  thou  art,  and  meekest 
unto  all  ladies  and  gentlewomen,  that  now  liveth. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and  rode 
into  many  strange  and  wild  countries,  and  through  many 
waters  and  valleys,  and  evil  was  he  lodged.  And  at  the 
last  by  fortune  him  happened,  against  a  night,  to  come  to 
a  fair  courtelage,  and  therein  he  found  an  old  gentlewoman 
that  lodged  him  with  good  will,  and  there  he  had  good  cheer 
for  him  and  his  horse.  And  when  time  was,  his  host  brought 
him  into  a  fair  garret,  over  the  gate,  to  his  bed.  There 
Sir  Launcelot  unarmed  him,  and  set  his  harness  by  him,  and 
went  to  bed,  and  anon  he  fell  asleep.  So,  soon  after,  there 
came  one  on  horseback,  and  knocked  at  the  gate  in  great 
haste,  and  when  Sir  Launcelot  heard  this,  he  arose  up  and 


.  itvSK 


: 

■ 
■ick  hir  -ffeton-theh 

d  and  neck  ui  Nov 

ig  thou  hast  desert  th, 

ir  Turquine  watched  to  dcst 
attend  to  destroy 

name  was 

How  Sir  Launcelot  slew  the  knight  Sir  Peris  de  Forest  Savage  that  did 

lr,  she  said,  at 


distress  ladies,  damosels,  and  gentlewomen. 


■ 
! 

to  bed,  ai 

c 


•ere 

.  reat 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  DELIVERED  SIR  KAY    63 

looked  out  at  the  window,  and  saw  by  the  moonlight  three 
knights  came  riding  after  that  one  man,  and  all  three  lashed 
on  him  at  once  with  swords,  and  that  one  knight  turned 
on  them  knighdy  again,  and  defended  him.  Truly,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  yonder  one  knight  shall  I  help,  for  it  were 
shame  for  me  to  see  three  knights  on  one,  and  if  he  be  slain 
I  am  partner  of  his  death  ;  and  therewith  he  took  his  harness, 
and  went  out  at  a  window  by  a  sheet  down  to  the  four 
knights,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  said  on  high,  Turn  you 
knights  unto  me,  and  leave  your  fighting  with  that  knight. 
And  then  they  all  three  left  Sir  Kay,  and  turned  unto  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  there  began  great  batde,  for  they  alighted 
all  three,  and  struck  many  great  strokes  at  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  assailed  him  on  every  side.  Then  Sir  Kay  dressed 
him  for  to  have  holpen  Sir  Launcelot.  Nay,  sir,  said  he, 
I  will  none  of  your  help  ;  therefore  as  ye  will  have  my 
help,  let  me  alone  with  them.  Sir  Kay,  for  the  pleasure 
of  the  knight,  suffered  him  for  to  do  his  will,  and  so  stood 
aside.  And  then  anon  within  six  strokes,  Sir  Launcelot 
had  stricken  them  to  the  earth. 

And  then  they  all  three  cried  :  Sir  knight,  we  yield  us 
unto  you  as  a  man  of  might  makeless.  As  to  that,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  I  will  not  take  your  yielding  unto  me.  But 
so  that  ye  will  yield  you  unto  Sir  Kay  the  Seneschal,  on 
that  covenant  I  will  save  your  lives,  and  else  not.  Fair 
knight,  said  they,  that  were  we  loath  to  do  ;  for  as  for  Sir 
Kay,  we  chased  him  hither,  and  had  overcome  him  had 
not  ye  been,  therefore  to  yield  us  unto  him  it  were  no 
reason.  Well,  as  to  that,  said  Launcelot,  advise  you  well, 
for  ye  may  choose  whether  ye  will  die  or  live,  for  an  ye 
be  yolden  it  shall  be  unto  Sir  Kay.  Fair  knight,  then  they 
said,  in  saving  of  our  lives  we  will  do  as  thou  commandest 


64  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

us.  Then  shall  ye,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  on  Whitsunday 
next  coming,  go  unto  the  court  of  King  Arthur,  and  there 
shall  ye  yield  you  unto  Queen  Guenever,  and  put  you  all 
three  in  her  grace  and  mercy,  and  say  that  Sir  Kay  sent 
you  thither  to  be  her  prisoners.  Sir,  they  said,  it  shall  be 
done  by  the  faith  of  our  bodies,  an  we  be  living,  and  there 
they  swore  every  knight  upon  his  sword.  And  so  Sir 
Launcelot  suffered  them  so  to  depart.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  knocked  at  the  gate  with  the  pommel  of  his 
sword,  and  with  that  came  his  host,  and  in  they  entered  Sir 
Kay  and  he.  Sir,  said  his  host,  I  weened  ye  had  been  in 
your  bed.  So  I  was,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  but  I  rose  and 
leapt  out  at  my  window  for  to  help  an  old  fellow  of  mine. 
And  so  when  they  came  nigh  the  light,  Sir  Kay  knew  well 
that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot,  and  therewith  he  kneeled  down 
and  thanked  him  of  all  his  kindness  that  he  had  holpen 
him  twice  from  the  death.  Sir,  he  said,  I  have  nothing 
done  but  that  I  ought  to  do,  and  ye  are  welcome,  and 
here  shall  ye  repose  you  and  take  your  rest. 

So  when  Sir  Kay  was  unarmed,  he  asked  after  meat  ; 
so  there  was  meat  fetched  him,  and  he  ate  strongly.  And 
when  he  had  supped  they  went  to  their  beds  and  were 
lodged  together  in  one  bed.  On  the  morn  Sir  Launcelot 
arose  early,  and  left  Sir  Kay  sleeping,  and  Sir  Launcelot 
took  Sir  Kay's  armour  and  his  shield,  and  armed  him,  and 
so  he  went  to  the  stable,  and  took  his  horse,  and  took  his 
leave  of  his  host,  and  so  he  departed.  Then  soon  after 
arose  Sir  Kay  and  missed  Sir  Launcelot.  And  then  he 
espied  that  he  had  his  armour  and  his  horse.  Now  by  my 
faith  I  know  well  that  he  will  grieve  some  of  the  court  of 
King  Arthur  ;  for  on  him  knights  will  be  bold,  and  deem 
that  it  is  I,  and  that  will  beguile  them.     And  because  of 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  RODE  DISGUISED   65 

his  armour  and  shield  I  am  sure  I  shall  ride  in  peace.     And 
then  soon  after  departed  Sir  Kay  and  thanked  his  host. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  RODE  DIS- 
GUISED IN  SIR  KAY'S  HARNESS  AND 
OVERTHREW  FOUR  KNIGHTS  OF  THE 
ROUND  TABLE,  AND  HOW  HE  WAS 
REQUIRED  OF  A  DAMOSEL  TO  HEAL 
HER  BROTHER.  Now  turn  we  unto  Sir 
Launcelot  that  rode  into  a  deep  forest,  and 
thereby  in  a  slade  he  saw  four  knights  hoving  under  an 
oak,  and  they  were  of  Arthur's  court,  one  was  Sir  Sagramour 
le  Desirous,  and  Ector  de  Maris,  and  Sir  Gawaine,  and  Sir 
Uwaine.  Anon  as  these  four  knights  had  espied  Sir  Launcelot, 
they  weened  by  his  arms  it  had  been  Sir  Kay.  Now 
by  my  faith,  said  Sir  Sagramour,  I  will  prove  Sir  Kay's 
might,,  and  gat  his  spear  in  his  hand,  and  came  toward 
Sir  Launcelot.  Therewith  Sir  Launcelot  was  ware  and 
knew  him  well,  and  feutred  his  spear  against  him,  and 
smote  Sir  Sagramour  so  sore  that  horse  and  man  fell  both 
to  the  earth.  Lo,  my  fellows,  said  Sir  Ector,  yonder  ye 
may  see  what  a  buffet  he  hath  ;  that  knight  is  much  bigger 
than  ever  was  Sir  Kay.  Now  shall  ye  see  what  I  may  do 
to  him.  So  Sir  Ector  gat  his  spear  in  his  hand  and  galloped 
toward  Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Launcelot  smote  him  through 
the  shield  and  shoulder,  that  man  and  horse  went  to  the 
earth,  and  ever  his  spear  held. 

By  my  faith,  said  Sir  Uwaine,  yonder  is  a  strong  knight, 
and  I  am  sure  he  hath  slain  Sir  Kay  ;  and  I  see  by  his  great 
strength  it  will  be  hard  to  match  him.  And  therewithal, 
Sir  Uwaine  gat  his  spear  in  his  hand  and  rode  toward  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  Sir  Launcelot  knew  him  well,  and  so  he  met 


66  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

him  on  the  plain,  and  gave  him  such  a  buffet  that  he  was 
astonied,  that  long  he  wist  not  where  he  was.  Now  see  I 
well,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  must  encounter  with  that  knight. 
Then  he  dressed  his  shield  and  gat  a  good  spear  in  his  hand, 
and  Sir  Launcelot  knew  him  well  ;  and  then  they  let  run 
their  horses  with  all  their  mights,  and  either  knight  smote 
other  in  midst  of  the  shield.  But  Sir  Gawaine's  spear  to- 
brast,  and  Sir  Launcelot  charged  so  sore  upon  him  that  his 
horse  reversed  up-so-down.  And  much  sorrow  had  Sir 
Gawaine  to  avoid  his  horse,  and  so  Sir  Launcelot  passed  on 
a  pace  and  smiled,  and  said,  God  give  him  joy  that  this 
spear  made,  for  there  came  never  a  better  in  my  hand. 

Then  the  four  knights  went  each  one  to  other  and 
comforted  each  other.  What  say  ye  by  this  guest  ?  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  that  one  spear  hath  felled  us  all  four.  We 
commend  him  unto  the  devil,  they  said  all,  for  he  is  a  man 
of  great  might.  Ye  may  well  say  it,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
that  he  is  a  man  of  might,  for  I  dare  lay  my  head  it  is  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  know  it  by  his  riding.  Let  him  go,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  for  when  we  come  to  the  court  then  shall  we 
wit ;  and  then  had  they  much  sorrow  to  get  their  horses 
again. 

Now  leave  we  there  and  speak  of  Sir  Launcelot  that  rode 
a  great  while  in  a  deep  forest,  where  he  saw  a  black  brachet, 
seeking  in  manner  as  it  had  been  in  the  feute  of  an  hurt 
deer.  And  therewith  he  rode  after  the  brachet,  and  he 
saw  lie  on  the  ground  a  large  feute  of  blood.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  rode  after.  And  ever  the  brachet  looked 
behind  her,  and  so  she  went  through  a  great  marsh,  and 
ever  Sir  Launcelot  followed.  And  then  was  he  ware  of 
an  old  manor,  and  thither  ran  the  brachet,  and  so  over 
the  bridge.     So  Sir  Launcelot  rode  over  that  bridge  that 


HOW  HE  FOLLOWED  A  BRACHET     67 

was  old  and  feeble  ;  and  when  he  came  in  midst  of  a  great 
hall,  there  he  saw  lie  a  dead  knight  that  was  a  seemly  man, 
and  that  brachet  licked  his  wounds.  And  therewithal 
came  out  a  lady  weeping  and  wringing  her  hands  ;  and 
then  she  said,  O  knight,  to  much  sorrow  hast  thou  brought 
me.  Why  say  ye  so  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  did  never 
this  knight  no  harm,  for  hither  by  feute  of  blood  this  brachet 
brought  me  ;  and  therefore,  fair  lady,  be  not  displeased 
with  me,  for  I  am  full  sore  aggrieved  of  your  grievance. 
Truly,  sir,  she  said,  I  trow  it  be  not  ye  that  hath  slain  my 
husband,  for  he  that  did  that  deed  is  sore  wounded,  and 
he  is  never  likely  to  recover,  that  shall  I  ensure  him.  What 
was  your  husband's  name  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot.  Sir,  said 
she,  his  name  was  called  Sir  Gilbert  the  Bastard,  one  of  the 
best  knights  of  the  world,  and  he  that  hath  slain  him  I 
know  not  his  name.  Now  God  send  you  better  comfort, 
said  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  so  he  departed  and  went  into 
the  forest  again,  and  there  he  met  with  a  damosel,  the  which 
knew  him  well,  and  she  said  aloud,  Well  be  ye  found,  my 
lord  ;  and  now  I  require  thee,  on  thy  knighthood,  help 
my  brother  that  is  sore  wounded,  and  never  stinteth  bleeding  ; 
for  this  day  he  fought  with  Sir  Gilbert  the  Bastard  and  slew 
him  in  plain  battle,  and  there  was  my  brother  sore  wounded, 
and  there  is  a  lady,  a  sorceress,  that  dwelleth  in  a  castle  here 
beside,  and  this  day  she  told  me  my  brother's  wounds  should 
never  be  whole  till  I  could  find  a  knight  that  would  go 
into  the  Chapel  Perilous,  and  there  he  should  find  a  sword 
and  a  bloody  cloth  that  the  wounded  knight  was  lapped 
in,  and  a  piece  of  that  cloth  and  sword  should  heal  my 
brother's  wounds,  so  that  his  wounds  were  searched  with 
the  sword  and  the  cloth.  This  is  a  marvellous  thing,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  but  what  is  your  brother's  name  ?     Sir,  she 


68  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

said,  his  name  was  Sir  Meliot  de  Logres.  That  me  re- 
penteth,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  he  is  a  fellow  of  the  Table 
Round,  and  to  his  help  I  will  do  my  power.  Then,  sir, 
said  she,  follow  even  this  highway,  and  it  will  bring  you 
into  the  Chapel  Perilous  ;  and  here  I  shall  abide  till  God 
send  you  here  again,  and,  but  you  speed,  I  know  no  knight 
living  that  may  achieve  that  adventure. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  CAME  INTO  THE 
CHAPEL  PERILOUS  AND  HOW  HE  HEALED 
THE  DAMOSEL'S  BROTHER  AND  RE- 
TURNED TO  KING  ARTHUR'S  COURT.  Right 
so  Sir  Launcelot  departed,  and  when  he  came  unto  the 
Chapel  Perilous  he  alighted  down,  and  tied  his  horse  unto 
a  little  gate.  And  as  soon  as  he  was  within  the  churchyard 
he  saw  on  the  front  of  the  chapel  many  fair  rich  shields 
turned  up-so-down,  and  many  of  the  shields  Sir  Launcelot 
had  seen  knights  bear  beforehand.  With  that  he  saw  by 
him  there  stand  a  thirty  great  knights,  more  by  a  yard  than 
any  man  that  ever  he  had  seen,  and  all  those  grinned  and 
gnashed  at  Sir  Launcelot.  And  when  he  saw  their  counten- 
ance he  dreaded  him  sore,  and  so  put  his  shield  afore  him, 
and  took  his  sword  ready  in  his  hand,  ready  unto  battle, 
and  they  were  all  armed  in  black  harness  ready  with  their 
shields  and  their  swords  drawn.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
would  have  gone  throughout  them,  they  scattered  on  every 
side  of  him,  and  gave  him  the  way,  and  therewith  he  waxed 
all  bold,  and  entered  into  the  chapel,  and  then  he  saw  no 
light  but  a  dim  lamp  burning,  and  then  was  he  ware  of  a 
corpse  covered  with  a  cloth  of  silk.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
stooped  down,  and  cut  a  piece  away  of  that  cloth,  and  then 
it  fared  under  him  as  the  earth  had  quaked  a  little  ;    there- 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  GAT  A  SWORD      69 

withal  he  feared.  And  then  he  saw  a  fair  sword  lie  by  the 
dead  knight,  and  that  he  gat  in  his  hand  and  hied  him  out 
of  the  chapel. 

Anon  as  ever  he  was  in  the  chapel  yard  all  the  knights 
spake  to  him  with  a  grimly  voice,  and  said,  Knight,  Sir 
Launcelot,  lay  that  sword  from  thee  or  else  thou  shalt  die. 
Whether  that  I  live  or  die,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  with  no 
great  word  get  ye  it  again,  therefore  fight  for  it  an  ye  list. 
Then  right  so  he  passed  throughout  them,  and  beyond  the 
chapel  yard  there  met  him  a  fair  damosel,  and  said,  Sir 
Launcelot,  leave  that  sword  behind  thee,  or  thou  wilt  die  for 
it.  I  leave  it  not,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  no  treaties.  No, 
said  she,  an  thou  didst  leave  that  sword,  Queen  Guenever 
should  thou  never  see.  Then  were  I  a  fool  an  I  would 
leave  this  sword,  said  Launcelot.  Now,  gentle  knight, 
said  the  damosel,  I  require  thee  to  kiss  me  but  once.  Nay, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  God  me  forbid.  Well,  sir,  said 
she,  an  thou  hadst  kissed  me  thy  life  days  had  been  done, 
but  now,  alas,  she  said,  I  have  lost  all  my  labour,  for  I 
ordained  this  chapel  for  thy  sake,  and  for  Sir  Gawaine. 
And  once  I  had  Sir  Gawaine  within  me,  and  at  that  time 
he  fought  with  that  knight  that  lieth  there  dead  in  yonder 
chapel,  Sir  Gilbert  the  Bastard  ;  and  at  that  time  he  smote 
the  left  hand  off  of  Sir  Gilbert  the  Bastard.  And,  Sir 
Launcelot,  now  I  tell  thee,  I  have  loved  thee  this  seven 
year,  but  there  may  no  woman  have  thy  love  but  Queen 
Guenever.  But  sithen  I  may  not  rejoice  thee  to  have  thy 
body  alive,  I  had  kept  no  more  joy  in  this  world  but  to 
have  thy  body  dead.  Then  would  I  have  balmed  it  and 
preserved  it,  and  so  have  kept  it  my  life  days,  and  daily  I 
should  have  clipped  thee,  and  kissed  thee,  in  despite  of 
Queen   Guenever.     Ye  say  well,  said    Sir  Launcelot,  Jesu 


jo  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT 

preserve  me  from  your  subtle  crafts.  And  therewithal 
he  took  his  horse  and  so  departed  from  her.  And  as  the 
book  saith,  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  departed  she  took 
such  sorrow  that  she  died  within  a  fourteen  night,  and  her 
name  was  Hellawes  the  sorceress,  Lady  of  the  Casde 
Nigramous. 

Anon  Sir  Launcelot  met  with  the  damosel,  Sir  Meliot's 
sister.  And  when  she  saw  him  she  clapped  her  hands,  and 
wept  for  joy.  And  then  they  rode  unto  a  casde  thereby 
where  lay  Sir  Meliot.  And  anon  as  Sir  Launcelot  saw  him 
he  knew  him,  but  he  was  passing  pale,  as  the  earth,  for 
bleeding.  When  Sir  Meliot  saw  Sir  Launcelot  he  kneeled 
upon  his  knees  and  cried  on  high  :  O  lord  Sir  Launcelot, 
help  me  !  Anon  Sir  Launcelot  leapt  unto  him  and  touched 
his  wounds  with  Sir  Gilbert's  sword.  And  then  he  wiped 
his  wounds  with  a  part  of  the  bloody  cloth  that  Sir  Gilbert 
was  wrapped  in,  and  anon  an  wholer  man  in  his  life  was  he 
never.  And  then  there  was  great  joy  between  them,  and 
they  made  Sir  Launcelot  all  the  cheer  that  they  might,  and 
so  on  the  morn  Sir  Launcelot  took  his  leave,  and  bade  Sir 
Meliot  hie  him  to  the  court  of  my  lord  Arthur,  and  there 
by  the  grace  of  God  ye  shall  find  me.  And  therewith  they 
departed. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  came  home  two  days  afore 
the  Feast  of  Pentecost ;  and  the  king  and  all  the  court 
were  passing  fain  of  his  coming.  And  when  Sir  Gawaine, 
Sir  Uwaine,  Sir  Sagramore,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  saw  Sir 
Launcelot  in  Kay's  armour,  then  they  wist  well  it  was  he 
that  smote  them  down  all  with  one  spear.  Then  there  was 
laughing  and  smiling  among  them.  And  ever  now  and  now 
came  all  the  knights  home  that  Sir  Turquine  had  prisoners, 
and  they  all  honoured  and  worshipped  Sir  Launcelot. 


HIS  RETURN  TO  ARTHUR'S  COURT        71 

Then  Sir  Kay  told  the  king  how  Sir  Launcelot  had 
rescued  him  when  he  should  have  been  slain,  and  how  he 
made  the  knights  yield  them  to  me,  and  not  to  him.  And 
there  they  were  all  three,  and  bare  record.  And  in  truth, 
said  Sir  Kay,  because  Sir  Launcelot  took  my  harness  and 
left  me  his  I  rode  in  good  peace,  and  no  man  would  have 
ado  with  me. 

And  then  Sir  Meliot  de  Logres  came  home,  and  told  the 
king  how  Sir  Launcelot  had  saved  him  from  the  death. 
And  so  at  that  time  Sir  Launcelot  had  the  greatest  name 
of  any  knight  of  the  world,  and  most  he  was  honoured  of 
high  and  low. 


OF  SIR  GARETH 


HOW  BEAUMAINS  CAME  TO  KING 
ARTHUR'S  COURT  AND  ASKED 
THREE  GIFTS  OF  KING  ARTHUR, 
AND  OF  A  DAMOSEL  THAT  DE- 
SIRED A  KNIGHT  TO  FIGHT  FOR 
A  LADY,  AND  HOW  BEAUMAINS 
DESIRED  THE  BATTLE.  When  Arthur 
held  his  Round  Table  most  plenour,  it 
fortuned  that  he  commanded  that  the  high 
feast  of  Pentecost  should  be  holden  at  a  city 
and  a  castle,  the  which  in  those  days  was 
called  Kynke  Kenadonne,  upon  the  sands 
that  marched  nigh  Wales.  So  ever  the  king  had  a  custom 
that  at  the  feast  of  Pentecost  in  especial,  afore  other  feasts 
in  the  year,  he  would  not  go  that  day  to  meat  until  he 
had  heard  or  seen  of  a  great  marvel.  And  for  that  custom 
all  manner  of  strange  adventures  came  before  Arthur  as  at 
that  feast  before  all  other  feasts.  And  so  Sir  Gawaine,  a 
little  to-fore  noon  of  the  day  of  Pentecost,  espied  at  a  window 
three  men  upon  horseback,  and  a  dwarf  on  foot,  and  so  the 
three  men  alighted,  and  the  dwarf  kept  their  horses,  and 
one  of  the  three  men  was  higher  than  the  other  twain  by  a 
foot  and  an  half.  Then  Sir  Gawaine  went  unto  the  king 
and  said,  Sir,  go  to  your  meat,  for  here  at  the  hand  come 


BEAUMAINS  AT  KING  ARTHUR'S  COURT    73 

strange  adventures.  So  Arthur  went  unto  his  meat  with 
many  other  kings. 

Right  so  came  into  the  hall  two  men  well  beseen  and 
richly,  and  upon  their  shoulders  there  leaned  the  goodliest 
young  man  and  the  fairest  that  ever  they  all  saw,  and  he 
was  large  and  long,  and  broad  in  the  shoulders,  and  well 
visaged,  and  the  fairest  and  the  largest  handed  that  ever 
man  saw,  but  he  fared  as  though  he  might  not  go  nor  bear 
himself  but  if  he  leaned  upon  their  shoulders.  Anon  as 
Arthur  saw  him  there  was  made  peace  and  room,  and  right 
,  so  they  went  with  him  unto  the  high  dais,  without  saying 
of  any  words.  Then  this  much  young  man  pulled  him 
aback,  and  easily  stretched  up  straight,  saying,  King  Arthur, 
God  you  bless  and  all  your  fair  fellowship,  and  in  especial 
the  fellowship  of  the  Table  Round.  And  for  this  cause 
I  am  come  hither,  to  pray  you  and  require  you  to  give  me 
three  gifts,  and  they  shall  not  be  unreasonably  asked,  but 
that  ye  may  worshipfully  and  honourably  grant  them  me, 
and  to  you  no  great  hurt  nor  loss.  And  the  first  don  and 
gift  I  will  ask  now,  and  the  other  two  gifts  I  will  ask  this 
day  twelvemonth,  wheresomever  ye  hold  your  high  feast. 
Now  ask,  said  Arthur,  and  ye  shall  have  your  asking. 

Now,  sir,  this  is  my  peddon  for  this  feast,  that  ye  will 
give  me  meat  and  drink  sufficiently  for  this  twelvemonth, 
and  at  that  day  I  will  ask  mine  other  two  gifts. 

My  fair  son,  said  Arthur,  ask  better,  I  counsel  thee, 
for  this  is  but  a  simple  asking  ;  for  my  heart  giveth  me  to 
thee  gready,  that  thou  art  come  of  men  of  worship,  and 
gready  my  conceit  faileth  me  but  thou  shalt  prove  a  man 
of  right  great  worship.  Sir,  he  said,  thereof  be  as  it  be 
may,  I  have  asked  that  I  will  ask.  Well,  said  the  king, 
ye  shall  have  meat  and  drink  enough  ;    I  never  defended 


74  OF  SIR  GARETH 

that  none,  neither  my  friend  nor  my  foe.  But  what  is 
thy  name  I  would  wit  ?  I  cannot  tell  you,  said  he.  That 
is  marvel,  said  the  king,  that  thou  knowest  not  thy  name, 
and  thou  art  the  goodliest  young  man  that  ever  I  saw. 
Then  the  king  betook  him  to  Sir  Kay  the  steward,  and 
charged  him  that  he  should  give  him  of  all  manner  of  meats 
and  drinks  of  the  best,  and  also  that  he  had  all  manner 
of  finding  as  though  he  were  a  lord's  son.  That  shall  litde 
need,  said  Sir  Kay,  to  do  such  cost  upon  him  ;  for  I  dare 
undertake  he  is  a  villain  born,  and  never  will  make  man, 
for  an  he  had  come  of  gendemen  he  would  have  asked  of 
you  horse  and  armour,  but  such  as  he  is,  so  he  asketh.  And 
sithen  he  hath  no  name,  I  shall  give  him  a  name  that  shall 
be  Beaumains,  that  is  Fair-hands,  and  into  the  kitchen  I 
shall  bring  him,  and  there  he  shall  have  fat  brose  every  day, 
that  he  shall  be  as  fat  by  the  twelve-months'  end  as  a  pork 
hog.  Right  so  the  two  men  departed  and  beleft  him  to 
Sir  Kay,  that  scorned  him  and  mocked  him. 

Thereat  was  Sir  Gawaine  wroth,  and  in  especial  Sir 
Launcelot  bade  Sir  Kay  leave  his  mocking,  for  I  dare  lay 
my  head  he  shall  prove  a  man  of  great  worship.  Let  be, 
said  Sir  Kay,  it  may  not  be  by  no  reason,  for  as  he  is,  so 
he  hath  asked. 

And  so  Sir  Kay  bade  get  him  a  place,  and  sit  down  to 
meat ;  so  Beaumains  went  to  the  hall  door,  and  set  him  down 
among  boys  and  lads,  and  there  he  ate  sadly.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  after  meat  bade  him  come  to  his  chamber, 
and  there  he  should  have  meat  and  drink  enough.  And 
so  did  Sir  Gawaine  :  but  he  refused  them  all ;  he  would 
do  none  other  but  as  Sir  Kay  commanded  him,  for  no 
proffer.  But  as  touching  Sir  Gawaine,  he  had  reason  to 
proffer  him  lodging,  meat,  and  drink,  for  that  proffer  came 


HOW  A  DAMOSEL  PRAYED  FOR  SUCCOUR    7s 

of  his  blood,  for  he  was  nearer  kin  to  him  than  he  wist. 
But  that  as  Sir  Launcelot  did  was  of  his  great  gendeness 
and  courtesy. 

So  thus  he  was  put  into  the  kitchen,  and  lay  nighdy  as 
the  boys  of  the  kitchen  did.  And  so  he  endured  all  that 
twelvemonth,  and  never  displeased  man  nor  child,  but 
always  he  was  meek  and  mild.  But  ever  when  that  he  saw 
any  jousting  of  knights,  that  would  he  see  an  he  might. 
And  ever  Sir  Launcelot  would  give  him  gold  to  spend,  and 
clothes,  and  so  did  Sir  Gawaine,  and  where  there  were  any 
masteries  done,  thereat  would  he  be,  and  there  might  none 
cast  bar  nor  stone  to  him  by  two  yards.  Then  would  Sir 
Kay  say,  How  liketh  you  my  boy  of  the  kitchen  ?  So  it 
passed  on  till  the  feast  of  Whitsuntide.  And  at  that  time 
the  king  held  it  at  Carlion  in  the  most  royallest  wise  that 
might  be,  like  as  he  did  yearly.  But  the  king  would  no 
meat  eat  upon  the  Whitsunday,  until  he  heard  some  adven- 
tures. Then  came  there  a  squire  to  the  king  and  said,  Sir, 
ye  may  go  to  your  meat,  for  here  cometh  a  damosel  with 
some  strange  adventures.  Then  was  the  king  glad  and 
sat  him  down. 

Right  so  there  came  a  damosel  into  the  hall  and  saluted 
the  king,  and  prayed  him  of  succour.  For  whom  ?  said 
the  king,  what  is  the  adventure  ? 

Sir,  she  said,  I  have  a  lady  of  great  worship  and  renown, 
and  she  is  besieged  with  a  tyrant,  so  that  she  may  not  out 
of  her  castle  ;  and  because  here  are  called  the  noblest 
knights  of  the  world,  I  come  to  you  to  pray  you  of  succour. 
What  hight  your  lady,  and  where  dwelleth  she,  and  who 
is  she,  and  what  is  his  name  that  hath  besieged  her  ?  Sir 
king,  she  said,  as  for  my  lady's  name  that  shall  not  ye  know 
for  me  as  at  this  time,  but  I  let  you  wit  she  is  a  lady  of  great 


76  OF  SIR  GARETH 

worship  and  of  great  lands  ;  and  as  for  the  tyrant  that 
besiegeth  her  and  destroyeth  her  lands,  he  is  called  the 
Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds.  I  know  him  not,  said 
the  king.  Sir,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  know  him  well,  for  he 
is  one  of  the  periloust  knights  of  the  world  ;  men  say  that 
he  hath  seven  men's  strength,  and  from  him  I  escaped  once 
full  hard  with  my  life.  Fair  damosel,  said  the  king,  there 
be  knights  here  would  do  their  power  for  to  rescue  your 
lady,  but  because  you  will  not  tell  her  name,  nor  where  she 
dwelleth,  therefore  none  of  my  knights  that  here  be  now 
shall  go  with  you  by  my  will.  Then  must  I  speak  further, 
said  the  damosel. 

With  these  words  came  before  the  king  Beaumains,  while 
the  damosel  was  there,  and  thus  he  said,  Sir  king,  God 
thank  you,  I  have  been  this  twelvemonth  in  your  kitchen, 
and  have  had  my  full  sustenance,  and  now  I  will  ask  my 
two  gifts  that  be  behind.  Ask,  upon  my  peril,  said  the 
king.  Sir,  this  shall  be  my  two  gifts,  first  that  ye  will  grant 
me  to  have  this  adventure  of  the  damosel,  for  it  belongeth 
unto  me.  Thou  shalt  have  it,  said  the  king,  I  grant  it  thee. 
Then,  sir,  this  is  the  other  gift,  that  ye  shall  bid  Launcelbt 
du  Lake  to  make  me  knight,  for  of  him  I  will  be  made 
knight  and  else  of  none.  And  when  I  am  passed  I  pray 
you  let  him  ride  after  me,  and  make  me  knight  when  I 
require  him.  All  this  shall  be  done,  said  the  king.  Fie 
on  thee,  said  the  damosel,  shall  I  have  none  but  one  that 
is  your  kitchen  page  ?  Then  was  she  wroth,  and  took  her 
horse  and  departed.  And  with  that  there  came  one  to 
Beaumains  and  told  him  his  horse  and  armour  was  come 
for  him  ;  and  there  was  the  dwarf  come  with  all  thing  that 
him  needed,  in  the  richest  manner  ;  thereat  all  the  court 
had   much   marvel  from  whence  came  all  that  gear.     So 


HOW  BEAUMAINS  FOUGHT  SIR  KAY       77 

when  he  was  armed  there  was  none  but  few  so  goodly  a 
man  as  he  was  ;  and  right  so  he  came  into  the  hall  and 
took  his  leave  of  King  Arthur,  and  Sir  Gawaine,  and  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  prayed  that  he  would  hie  after  him,  and  so 
departed  and  rode  after  the  damosel. 

HOW  BEAUMAINS  DEPARTED,  AND  HOW 
HE  GAT  OF  SIR  KAY  A  SPEAR  AND  A 
SHIELD,  AND  HOW  HE  JOUSTED  WITH 
SIR  LAUNCELOT,  AND  OF  HIM  WAS  DUBBED 
KNIGHT.  But  there  went  many  after  to  behold  how  well 
he  was  horsed  and  trapped  in  cloth  of  gold,  but  he  had 
neither  shield  nor  spear.  Then  Sir  Kay  said  all  open  in  the 
hall,  I  will  ride  after  my  boy  in  the  kitchen,  to  wit  whether 
he  will  know  me  for  his  better.  Said  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir 
Gawaine,  Yet  abide  at  home.  So  Sir  Kay  made  him  ready 
and  took  his  horse  and  his  spear,  and  rode  after  him.  And 
right  as  Beaumains  overtook  the  damosel,  right  so  came  Sir 
Kay  and  said,  Beaumains,  what,  sir,  know  ye  not  me  ?  Then 
he  turned  his  horse,  and  knew  it  was  Sir  Kay,  that  had  done 
him  all  the  despite  as  ye  have  heard  afore.  Yea,  said  Beau- 
mains, I  know  you  for  an  ungende  knight  of  the  court, 
and  therefore  beware  of  me.  Therewith  Sir  Kay  put  his 
spear  in  the  rest,  and  ran  straight  upon  him  ;  and  Beau- 
mains came  as  fast  upon  him  with  his  sword  in  his  hand, 
and  so  he  put  away  his  spear  with  his  sword,  and  with  a 
foin  thrust  him  through  the  side,  that  Sir  Kay  fell  down 
as  he  had  been  dead  ;  and  he  alighted  down  and  took  Sir 
Kay's  shield  and  his  spear,  and  stert  upon  his  own  horse 
and  rode  his  way. 

All  that  saw  Sir  Launcelot,   and  so  did   the  damosel. 
And  then  he  bade  his  dwarf  stert  upon  Sir  Kay's  horse, 


78  OF  SIR  GARETH 

and  so  he  did.  By  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  come,  then  he 
proffered  Sir  Launcelot  to  joust ;  and  either  made  them 
ready,  and  they  came  together  so  fiercely  that  either  bare 
down  other  to  the  earth,  and  sore  were  they  bruised.  Then 
Sir  Launcelot  arose  and  helped  him  from  his  horse.  And 
then  Beaumains  threw  his  shield  from  him,  and  proffered 
to  fight  with  Sir  Launcelot  on  foot ;  and  so  they  rashed 
together  like  boars,  tracing,  racing,  and  foining  to  the 
mountenance  of  an  hour  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  felt  him  so 
big  that  he  marvelled  of  his  strength,  for  he  fought  more 
liker  a  giant  than  a  knight,  and  that  his  fighting  was  durable 
and  passing  perilous.  For  Sir  Launcelot  had  so  much  ado 
with  him  that  he  dreaded  himself  to  be  shamed,  and  said, 
Beaumains,  fight  not  so  sore,  your  quarrel  and  mine  is  not 
so  great  but  we  may  leave  off.  Truly  that  is  truth,  said 
Beaumains,  but  it  doth  me  good  to  feel  your  might,  and 
yet,  my  lord,  I  showed  not  the  utterance. 

In  God's  name,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  I  promise  you,  by 
the  faith  of  my  body,  I  had  as  much  to  do  as  I  might  to 
save  myself  from  you  unshamed,  and  therefore  have  ye  no 
doubt  of  none  earthly  knight.  Hope  ye  so  that  I  may 
any  while  stand  a  proved  knight  ?  said  Beaumains.  Yea, 
said  Launcelot,  do  as  ye  have  done,  and  I  shall  be  your 
warrant.  Then,  I  pray  you,  said  Beaumains,  give  me  the 
order  of  knighthood.  Then  must  ye  tell  me  your  name, 
said  Launcelot,  and  of  what  kin  ye  be  born.  Sir,  so  that 
ye  will  not  discover  me  I  shall,  said  Beaumains.  Nay,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  that  I  promise  you  by  the  faith  of  my 
body,  until  it  be  openly  known.  Then,  sir,  he  said,  my 
name  is  Gareth,  and  brother  unto  Sir  Gawaine  of  father  and 
mother.  Ah,  sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  am  more  gladder 
of  you  than  I  was ;  for  ever  me  thought  ye  should  be  of  a 


HOW  HE  WAS  DUBBED  KNIGHT  79 

great  blood,  and  that  ye  came  not  to  the  court  neither  for 
meat  nor  for  drink.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  gave  him 
the  order  of  knighthood,  and  then  Sir  Gareth  prayed  him 
for  to  depart  and  let  him  go. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  departed  from  him  and  came  to  Sir 
Kay,  and  made  him  to  be  borne  home  upon  his  shield,  and 
so  he  was  healed  hard  with  the  life  ;  and  all  men  scorned 
Sir  Kay,  and  in  especial  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Launcelot ; 
and  so  we  leave  Sir  Kay  and  turn  we  unto  Beaumains. 

When  he  had  overtaken  the  damosel,  anon  she  said, 
What  dost  thou  here  ?  thou  stinkest  all  of  the  kitchen,  thy 
clothes  be  bawdy  of  the  grease  and  tallow  that  thou  gainest 
in  King  Arthur's  kitchen  ;  weenest  thou,  said  she,  that  I 
allow  thee,  for  yonder  knight  that  thou  killest.  Nay  truly, 
for  thou  slewest  him  unhappily  and  cowardly  ;  therefore 
turn  again,  bawdy  kitchen  page,  I  know  thee  well,  for  Sir 
Kay  named  thee  Beaumains.  What  art  thou  but  a  lusk 
and  a  turner  of  broaches  and  a  ladle-washer  ?  Damosel, 
said  Beaumains,  say  to  me  what  ye  will,  I  will  not  go  from 
you  whatsomever  ye  say,  for  I  have  undertaken  to  King 
Arthur  for  to  achieve  your  adventure,  and  so  shall  I  finish 
it  to  the  end,  either  I  shall  die  therefore. 

So  thus  as  they  rode  in  the  wood,  there  came  a  man 
flying  all  that  ever  he  might.  Whither  wilt  thou  ?  said 
Beaumains.  O  lord,  he  said,  help  me,  for  here  by  in  a 
slade  are  six  thieves  that  have  taken  my  lord  and  bound 
him,  so  I  am  afeard  lest  they  will  slay  him.  Bring  me 
thither,  said  Beaumains.  And  so  they  rode  together  until 
they  came  there  as  was  the  knight  bounden  ;  and  then  he 
rode  unto  them,  and  struck  one  unto  the  death,  and  then 
another,  and  at  the  third  stroke  he  slew  the  third  thief, 
and  then  the  other  three  fled.     And  he  rode  after  them, 


80  OF  SIR  GARETH 

and  he  overtook  them  ;  and  then  those  three  thieves  turned 
again  and  assailed  Beaumains  hard,  but  at  the  last  he  slew 
them,  and  returned  and  unbound  the  knight.  And  the 
knight  thanked  him,  and  prayed  him  to  ride  with  him  to 
his  castle  there  a  little  beside,  and  he  should  worshipfully 
reward  him  for  his  good  deeds.  Sir,  said  Beaumains,  I  will 
no  reward  have  :  I  was  this  day  made  knight  of  noble  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  therefore  I  will  no  reward  have,  but  God 
reward  me.     And  also  I  must  follow  this  damosel. 

And  when  he  came  nigh  her  she  bade  him  ride  from 
her,  For  thou  smellest  all  of  the  kitchen  :  weenest  thou  that 
I  have  joy  of  thee,  for  all  this  deed  that  thou  hast  done  is 
but  mishapped  thee  :  but  thou  shalt  see  a  sight  shall  make 
thee  turn  again,  and  that  lightly.  Then  the  same  knight 
which  was  rescued  of  the  thieves  rode  after  that  damosel, 
and  prayed  her  to  lodge  with  him  all  that  night.  And 
because  it  was  near  night  the  damosel  rode  with  him  to  his 
castle,  and  there  they  had  great  cheer,  and  at  supper  the 
knight  sat  Sir  Beaumains  afore  the  damosel.  Fie,  fie,  said 
she,  Sir  knight,  ye  are  uncourteous  to  set  a  kitchen  page 
afore  me  ;  him  beseemeth  better  to  stick  a  swine  than  to 
sit  afore  a  damosel  of  high  parage.  Then  the  knight  was 
ashamed  at  her  words,  and  took  him  up,  and  set  him  at  a 
sideboard,  and  set  himself  afore  him,  and  so  all  that  night 
they  had  good  cheer  and  merry  rest. 

HOW  BEAUMAINS  FOUGHT  AND 
SLEW  TWO  KNIGHTS  AT  A  PASS- 
AGE, AND  HOW  HE  SLEW  ALSO 
THE  KNIGHT  OF  THE  BLACK 
LAUNDS.  And  on  the  morn  the  damosel  and  he  took  their 
leave  and  thanked  the  knight,  and  so  departed,  and  rode  on 


HOW  HE  SLEW  TWO  KNIGHTS  81 

their  way  until  they  came  to  a  great  forest.  And  there  was 
a  great  river  and  but  one  passage,  and  there  were  ready  two 
knights  on  the  farther  side  to  let  them  the  passage.  What 
sayest  thou,  said  the  damosel,  wilt  thou  match  yonder  knights 
or  turn  again  ?  Nay,  said  Sir  Beaumains,  I  will  not  turn 
again  an  they  were  six  more.  And  therewithal  he  rushed 
into  the  water,  and  in  midst  of  the  water  either  brake  their 
spears  upon  other  to  their  hands,  and  then  they  drew  their 
swords,  and  smote  eagerly  at  other.  And  at  the  last  Sir 
Beaumains  smote  the  other  upon  the  helm  that  his  head 
stonied,  and  therewithal  he  fell  down  in  the  water,  and 
there  was  he  drowned.  And  then  Sir  Beaumains  spurred 
his  horse  upon  the  land,  where  the  other  knight  fell  upon 
him,  and  brake  his  spear,  and  so  they  drew  their  swords  and 
fought  long  together.  At  the  last  Sir  Beaumains  clave  his 
helm  and  his  head  down  to  the  shoulders  ;  and  so  he  rode 
unto  the  damosel  and  bade  her  ride  forth  on  her  way. 

Alas,  she  said,  that  ever  a  kitchen  page  should  have 
that  fortune  to  destroy  such  two  doughty  knights  :  thou 
weenest  thou  hast  done  doughtily,  that  is  not  so  ;  for  the 
first  knight  his  horse  stumbled,  and  there  he  was  drowned 
in  the  water,  and  never  it  was  by  thy  force,  nor  by  thy 
might.  And  the  last  knight  by  mishap  thou  earnest  behind 
him  and  mishappily  thou  slew  him. 

Damosel,  said  Beaumains,  ye  may  say  what  ye  will,  but 
with  whomsomever  I  have  ado  withal,  I  trust  to  God  to 
serve  him  or  he  depart.  And  therefore  I  reck  not  what 
ye  say,  so  that  I  may  win  your  lady.  Fie,  fie,  foul  kitchen 
knave,  thou  shalt  see  knights  that  shall  abate  thy  boast 
Fair  damosel,  give  me  goodly  language,  and  then  my  care 
is  past,  for  what  knights  somever  they  be,  I  care  not,  nor 
I  doubt  them  not.     Also,  said  she,  I  say  it  for  thine  avail, 


82  OF  SIR  GARETH 

yet  mayest  thou  turn  again  with  thy  worship  ;  for  an  thou 
follow  me,  thou  art  but  slain,  for  I  see  all  that  ever  thou 
dost  is  but  by  misadventure,  and  not  by  prowess  of  thy 
hands.  Well,  damosel,  ye  may  say  what  ye  will,  but  where- 
somever  ye  go  I  will  follow  you.  So  this  Beaumains  rode 
with  that  lady  till  evensong  time,  and  ever  she  chid  him, 
and  would  not  rest.  And  they  came  to  a  black  laund  ;  and 
there  was  a  black  hawthorn,  and  thereon  hung  a  black 
banner,  and  on  the  other  side  there  hung  a  black  shield, 
and  by  it  stood  a  black  spear  great  and  long,  and  a 
great  black  horse  covered  with  silk,  and  a  black  stone 
fast  by. 

There  sat  a  knight  all  armed  in  black  harness,  and  his 
name  was  the  Knight  of  the  Black  Laund.  Then  the 
damosel,  when  she  saw  that  knight,  she  bade  Beaumains 
flee  down  that  valley,  for  the  knight's  horse  was  not  saddled. 
Gramercy,  said  Beaumains,  for  always  ye  would  have  me 
a  coward.  With  that  the  Black  Knight,  when  she  came 
nigh  him,  spake  and  said,  Damosel,  have  ye  brought  this 
knight  of  King  Arthur  to  be  your  champion  ?  Nay,  fair 
knight,  said  she,  this  is  but  a  kitchen  knave  that  was  fed  in 
King  Arthur's  kitchen  for  alms.  Why  cometh  he,  said 
the  knight,  in  such  array  ?  it  is  shame  that  he  beareth  you 
company.  Sir,  I  cannot  be  delivered  of  him,  said  she, 
for  with  me  he  rideth  maugre  mine  head  :  would  that  ye 
should  put  him  from  me,  other  to  slay  him  an  ye  may,  for 
he  is  an  unhappy  knave,  and  unhappily  he  hath  done  this 
day  :  through  mishap  I  saw  him  slay  two  knights  at  the 
passage  of  the  water  ;  and  other  deeds  he  did  before  right 
marvellous  and  through  unhappiness.  That  marvelleth  me, 
said  the  Black  Knight,  that  any  man  that  is  of  worship  will 
have  ado  with  him.     They  know  him  not,  said  the  damosel, 


BEAUMAINS  AND  THE  BLACK  KNIGHT     83 

and  for  because  he  rideth  with  me,  they  ween  that  he  be 
some  man  of  worship  born.  That  may  be,  said  the  Black 
Knight  ;  howbeit  as  ye  say  that  he  be  no  man  of  worship, 
he  is  a  full  likely  person,  and  full  like  to  be  a  strong  man  : 
but  thus  much  shall  I  grant  you,  said  the  Black  Knight  ; 
I  shall  put  him  down  upon  one  foot,  and  his  horse  and  his 
harness  he  shall  leave  with  me,  for  it  were  shame  to  me  to 
do  him  any  more  harm. 

When  Sir  Beaumains  heard  him  say  thus,  he  said,  Sir 
knight,  thou  art  full  large  of  my  horse  and  my  harness  ;  I 
let  thee  wit  it  cost  thee  nought,  and  whether  it  liketh  thee 
or  not,  this  laund  will  I  pass  maugre  thine  head.  And 
horse  nor  harness  gettest  thou  none  of  mine,  but  if  thou 
win  them  with  thy  hands  ;  and  therefore  let  see  what  thou 
canst  do.  Sayest  thou  that  ?  said  the  Black  Knight,  now 
yield  thy  lady  from  thee,  for  it  beseemeth  never  a  kitchen 
page  to  ride  with  such  a  lady.  Thou  liest,  said  Beaumains, 
I  am  a  gentleman  born,  and  of  more  high  lineage  than  thou, 
and  that  will  I  prove  on  thy  body. 

Then  in  great  wrath  they  departed  with  their  horses, 
and  came  together  as  it  had  been  the  thunder,  and  the 
Black  Knight's  spear  brake,  and  Beaumains  thrust  him 
through  both  his  sides,  and  therewith  his  spear  brake,  and 
the  truncheon  left  still  in  his  side.  But  nevertheless  the 
Black  Knight  drew  his  sword,  and  smote  many  eager  strokes, 
and  of  great  might,  and  hurt  Beaumains  full  sore.  But 
at  the  last  the  Black  Knight,  within  an  hour  and  an  half,  he 
fell  down  off  his  horse  in  swoon,  and  there  he  died.  And 
when  Beaumains  saw  him  so  well  horsed  and  armed,  then 
he  alighted  down  and  armed  him  in  his  armour,  and  so  took 
his  horse  and  rode  after  the  damosel. 

When  she  saw  him  come  nigh,  she  said,  Away,  kitchen 


84  OF  SIR  GARETH 

knave,  out  of  the  wind,  for  the  smell  of  thy  bawdy  clothes 
grieveth  me.  Alas,  she  said,  that  ever  such  a  knave  should 
by  mishap  slay  so  good  a  knight  as  thou  hast  done,  but  all 
this  is  thine  unhappiness.  But  here  by  is  one  shall  pay 
thee  all  thy  payment,  and  therefore  yet  I  counsel  thee,  flee. 
It  may  happen  me,  said  Beaumains,  to  be  beaten  or  slain, 
but  I  warn  you,  fair  damosel,  I  will  not  flee  away,  nor  leave 
your  company,  for  all  that  ye  can  say  ;  for  ever  ye  say  that 
they  will  kill  me  or  beat  me,  but  howsomever  it  happeneth 
I  escape,  and  they  lie  on  the  ground. 

HOW  TWO  BROTHERS  OF  THE  BLACK 
KNIGHT  MET  WITH  BEAUMAINS,  AND 
FOUGHT  WITH  BEAUMAINS  TILL  THEY 
WERE  YIELDEN,  AND  HOW  THE  DAMOSEL 
STILL  REBUKED  HIM.  Thus  as  they  rode  together, 
they  saw  a  knight  come  driving  by  them  all  in  green,  both 
his  horse  and  his  harness  ;  and  when  he  came  nigh  the 
damosel,  he  asked  her,  Is  that  my  brother  the  Black  Knight 
that  ye  have  brought  with  you  ?  Nay,  nay,  she  said,  this 
unhappy  kitchen  knave  hath  slain  your  brother  through 
unhappiness.  Alas,  said  the  Green  Knight,  that  is  great 
pity,  that  so  noble  a  knight  as  he  was  should  so  unhappily 
be  slain,  and  namely  of  a  knave's  hand,  as  ye  say  that  he  is. 
Ah  !  traitor,  said  the  Green  Knight,  thou  shalt  die  for  slaying 
of  my  brother  ;  he  was  a  full  noble  knight,  and  his  name 
was  Sir  Pereard.  I  defy  thee,  said  Beaumains,  for  I  let 
thee  wit  I  slew  him  knightly  and  not  shamefully. 

Therewithal  the  Green  Knight  rode  unto  an  horn  that 
was  green,  and  it  hung  upon  a  thorn,  and  there  he  blew 
three  deadly  motes,  and  there  came  two  damosels  and  armed 
him  lightly.     And  then  he  took  a  great  horse,  and  a  green 


BEAUMAINS  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT    85 

shield  and  a  green  spear.  And  then  they  ran  together 
with  all  their  mights,  and  brake  their  spears  unto  their  hands. 
And  then  they  drew  their  swords,  and  gave  many  sad  strokes, 
and  either  of  them  wounded  other  full  ill.  And  at  the  last, 
at  an  overthwart,  Beaumains  with  his  horse  struck  the  Green 
Knight's  horse  upon  the  side,  that  he  fell  to  the  earth.  And 
then  the  Green  Knight  avoided  his  horse  lightly,  and 
dressed  him  upon  foot.  That  saw  Beaumains,  and  there- 
withal he  alighted,  and  they  rushed  together  like  two  mighty 
kemps  a  long  while,  and  sore  they  bled  both.  With  that 
came  the  damosel,  and  said,  My  lord  the  Green  Knight, 
why  for  shame  stand  ye  so  long  fighting  with  the  kitchen 
knave  ?  Alas,  it  is  shame  that  ever  ye  were  made  knight, 
to  see  such  a  lad  to  match  such  a  knight,  as  the  weed  over- 
grew the  corn.  Therewith  the  Green  Knight  was  ashamed, 
and  therewithal  he  gave  a  great  stroke  of  might,  and  clave 
his  shield  through.  When  Beaumains  saw  his  shield  cloven 
asunder  he  was  a  litde  ashamed  of  that  stroke  and  of  her 
language  ;  and  then  he  gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the 
helm  that  he  fell  on  his  knees.  And  so  suddenly  Beaumains 
pulled  him  upon  the  ground  grovelling.  And  then  the 
Green  Knight  cried  him  mercy,  and  yielded  him  unto  Sir 
Beaumains,  and  prayed  him  to  slay  him  not.  All  is  in  vain, 
said  Beaumains,  for  thou  shalt  die  but  if  this  damosel  that 
came  with  me  pray  me  to  save  thy  life.  And  therewithal 
he  unlaced  his  helm  like  as  he  would  slay  him.  Fie  upon 
thee,  false  kitchen  page,  I  will  never  pray  thee  to  save  his 
life,  for  I  will  never  be  so  much  in  thy  danger.  Then  shall 
he  die,  said  Beaumains.  Not  so  hardy,  thou  bawdy  knave, 
said  the  damosel,  that  thou  slay  him.  Alas,  said  the  Green 
Knight,  suffer  me  not  to  die  for  a  fair  word  may  save  me. 
Fair  knight,  said  the  Green  Knight,  save  my  life,  and  I  will 


86  OF  SIR  GARETH 

forgive  thee  the  death  of  my  brother,  and  for  ever  to  become 
thy  man,  and  thirty  knights  that  hold  of  me  for  ever  shall 
do  you  service.  In  the  devil's  name,  said  the  damosel, 
that  such  a  bawdy  kitchen  knave  should  have  thee  and  thirty 
knights'  service. 

Sir  knight,  said  Beaumains,  all  this  availeth  thee  not, 
but  if  my  damosel  speak  with  me  for  thy  life.  And  there- 
withal he  made  a  semblant  to  slay  him.  Let  be,  said  the 
damosel,  thou  bawdy  knave  ;  slay  him  not,  for  an  thou 
do  thou  shalt  repent  it.  Damosel,  said  Beaumains,  your 
charge  is  to  me  a  pleasure,  and  at  your  commandment  his 
life  shall  be  saved,  and  else  not.  Then  he  said,  Sir  knight 
with  the  green  arms,  I  release  thee  quit  at  this  damosel's 
request,  for  I  will  not  make  her  wroth,  I  will  fulfil  all  that 
she  chargeth  me.  And  then  the  Green  Knight  kneeled 
down,  and  did  him  homage  with  his  sword.  Then  said 
the  damosel,  Me  repenteth,  Green  Knight,  of  your  damage, 
and  of  your  brother's  death,  the  Black  Knight,  for  of  your 
help  I  had  great  need,  for  I  dread  me  sore  to  pass  this 
forest.  Nay,  dread  you  not,  said  the  Green  Knight,  for 
ye  shall  lodge  with  me  this  night,  and  to-morn  I  shall  help 
you  through  this  forest.  So  they  took  their  horses  and  rode 
to  his  manor,  which  was  fast  there  beside. 

And  ever  she  rebuked  Beaumains,  and  would  not  suffer 
him  to  sit  at  her  table,  but  as  the  Green  Knight  took  him 
and  sat  him  at  a  side  table.  Marvel  methinketh,  said  the 
Green  Knight  to  the  damosel,  why  ye  rebuke  this  noble 
knight  as  ye  do,  for  I  warn  you,  damosel,  he  is  a  full  noble 
knight,  and  I  know  no  knight  is  able  to  match  him  ;  there- 
fore ye  do  great  wrong  to  rebuke  him,  for  he  shall  do  you 
right  good  service,  for  whatsomever  he  maketh  himself, 
ye  shall  prove  at  the  end  that  he  is  come  of  a  noble  blood 


HOW  THE  DAMOSEL  REBUKED  HIM        87 

and  of  king's  lineage.  Fie,  fie,  said  the  damosel,  it  is  shame 
for  you  to  say  of  him  such  worship. 

And  so  on  the  morn  they  all  arose,  and  heard  their 
mass  and  brake  their  fast  ;  and  then  they  took  their  horses 
and  rode  on  their  way,  and  the  Green  Knight  conveyed 
them  through  the  forest  ;  and  there  the  Green  Knight  said, 
My  lord  Beaumains,  I  and  these  thirty  knights  shall  be 
always  at  your  summons,  both  early  and  late,  at  your  calling 
and  whither  that  ever  ye  will  send  us.  It  is  well  said,  said 
Beaumains  ;  when  that  I  call  upon  you  ye  must  yield  you 
unto  King  Arthur,  and  all  your  knights.  If  that  ye  so 
command  us,  we  shall  be  ready  at  all  times,  said  the  Green 
Knight.  Fie,  fie  upon  thee,  in  the  devil's  name,  said  the 
damosel,  that  any  good  knights  should  be  obedient  unto  a 
kitchen  knave.  So  then  departed  the  Green  Knight  and 
the  damosel.  And  then  she  said  unto  Beaumains,  Why 
followest  thou  me,  thou  kitchen  boy  ?  Cast  away  thy  shield 
and  thy  spear,  and  flee  away,  yet  I  counsel  thee,  betimes, 
or  thou  shalt  say  right  soon,  alas  ;  for  wert  thou  as  wight 
as  ever  was  Wade  or  Launcelot,  Tristram,  or  the  good 
knight  Sir  Lamorak,  thou  shalt  not  pass  a  pass  here  that  is 
called  the  Pass  Perilous.  Damosel,  said  Beaumains,  who  is 
afeard  let  him  flee,  for  it  were  shame  to  turn  again  sithen 
I  have  ridden  so  long  with  you.  Well,  said  the  damosel, 
ye  shall  soon,  whether  ye  will  or  not. 

Sp  within  a  while  they  saw  a  tower  as  white  as  any  snow, 
well  matchecold  all  about,  and  double  dyked.  And  over 
the  tower  gate  there  hung  a  fifty  shields  of  divers  colours, 
and  under  that  tower  there  was  a  fair  meadow.  And  therein 
were  many  knights  and  squires  to  behold,  scaffolds  and 
pavilions  ;  for  there  upon  the  morn  should  be  a  great 
tournament  :    and  the  lord  of  the  tower  was  in  his  casde 


88  OF  SIR  GARETH 

and  looked  out  at  a  window,  and  saw  a  damosel,  a  dwarf, 
and  a  knight  armed  at  all  points.  With  that  knight 
will  I  joust,  said  the  lord,  for  I  see  that  he  is  a  knight- 
errant.  And  so  he  armed  him  and  horsed  him  hastily. 
And  when  he  was  on  horseback  with  his  shield  and  his 
spear,  it  was  all  red,  both  his  horse  and  his  harness,  and 
all  that  to  him  longeth.  And  when  that  he  came  nigh 
him  he  weened  it  had  been  his  brother  the  Black  Knight ; 
and  then  he  cried  aloud,  Brother,  what  do  ye  in  these 
marches  ?  Nay,  nay,  said  the  damosel,  it  is  not  he  ;  this 
is  but  a  kitchen  knave  that  was  brought  up  for  alms  in  King 
Arthur's  court.  Nevertheless,  said  the  Red  Knight,  I  will 
speak  with  him  or  he  depart.  Ah,  said  the  damosel,  this 
knave  hath  killed  thy  brother,  and  Sir  Kay  named  him 
Beaumains,  and  this  horse  and  this  harness  was  thy  brother's, 
the  Black  Knight.  Also  I  saw  thy  brother  the  Green 
Knight  overcome  of  his  hands.  Now  may  ye  be  revenged 
upon  him,  for  I  may  never  be  quit  of  him. 

With  this  either  knights  departed  in  sunder,  and  they 
came  together  with  all  their  might,  and  either  of  their 
horses  fell  to  the  earth,  and  they  avoided  their  horses,  and 
put  their  shields  afore  them  and  drew  their  swords,  and 
either  gave  other  sad  strokes,  now  here,  now  there,  racing, 
tracing,  foining,  and  hurling  like  two  boars,  the  space  of 
two  hours.  And  then  she  cried  on  high  to  the  Red  Knight, 
Alas,  thou  noble  Red  Knight,  think  what  worship  hath 
followed  thee,  let  never  a  kitchen  knave  endure  thee  so  long 
as  he  doth.  Then  the  Red  Knight  waxed  wroth  and 
doubled  his  strokes,  and  hurt  Beaumains  wonderly  sore, 
that  the  blood  ran  down  to  the  ground,  that  it  was  wonder 
to  see  that  strong  battle.  Yet  at  the  last  Sir  Beaumains 
struck  him  to  the  earth,  and  as  he  would  have  slain  the  Red 


'     '■■'.' 
rot  a  kitchen  knave  that  wis  bir 

:ourt.     N  .  said  the 

ih,  said  tb 

Sir  Kay  . 

How  Beaumains  defeated  the  Red  Knight,  and  always  the  damosel  spake 
manv  foul  words  unto  him. 


many  foul  words  unto  him. 


■ 


To  face  page  88. 


tow  thei 

1 

foil 


OF  THE  RED  KNIGHT  AND  BEAUMAINS    89 

Knight,  he  cried  mercy,  saying,  Noble  knight,  slay  me 
not,  and  I  shall  yield  me  to  thee  with  fifty  knights  with  me 
that  be  at  my  commandment.  And  I  forgive  thee  all  the 
despite  that  thou  hast  done  to  me,  and  the  death  of  my 
brother  the  Black  Knight.  All  this  availeth  not,  said 
Beaumains,  but  if  my  damosel  pray  me  to  save  thy  life. 
And  therewith  he  made  semblant  to  strike  off  his  head. 
Let  be,  thou  Beaumains,  slay  him  not,  for  he  is  a  noble 
knight,  and  not  so  hardy,  upon  thine  head,  but  thou  save 
him. 

Then  Beaumains  bade  the  Red  Knight,  Stand  up,  and 
thank  the  damosel  now  of  thy  life.  Then  the  Red  Knight 
prayed  him  to  see  his  castle,  and  to  be  there  all  night.  So 
the  damosel  then  granted  him,  and  there  they  had  merry 
cheer.  But  always  the  damosel  spake  many  foul  words 
unto  Beaumains,  whereof  the  Red  Knight  had  great  marvel  ; 
and  all  that  night  the  Red  Knight  made  three  score  knights 
to  watch  Beaumains,  that  he  should  have  no  shame  nor 
villainy.  And  upon  the  morn  they  heard  mass  and  dined, 
and  the  Red  Knight  came  before  Beaumains  with  his  three 
score  knights,  and  there  he  proffered  him  his  homage  and 
fealty  at  all  times,  he  and  his  knights  to  do  him  service.  I 
thank  you,  said  Beaumains,  but  this  ye  shall  grant  me  : 
when  I  call  upon  you,  to  come  afore  my  lord  King  Arthur, 
and  yield  you  unto  him  to  be  his  knights.  Sir,  said  the 
Red  Knight,  I  will  be  ready,  and  my  fellowship,  at  your 
summons.  So  Sir  Beaumains  departed  and  the  damosel, 
and  ever  she  rode  chiding  him  in  the  foulest  manner. 


9° 


OF  SIR  GARETH 

HOW  SIR  BEAUMAINS  ANSWERED 
THE  DAMOSEL  PATIENTLY,  AND 
HOW  HE  FOUGHT  WITH  THE 
FOURTH  BROTHER,  SIR  PERSANT 
OF  INDE,  AND  MADE  HIM  TO  BE 
YOLDEN.  Damosel,  said  Beaumains,  ye 
are  uncourteous  so  to  rebuke  me  as  ye  do,  for  meseemeth 
I  have  done  you  good  service,  and  ever  ye  threaten  me  I  shall 
be  beaten  with  knights  that  we  meet,  but  ever  for  all  your 
boast  they  lie  in  the  dust  or  in  the  mire,  and  therefore  I  pray 
you  rebuke  me  no  more ;  and  when  ye  see  me  beaten  or 
yolden  as  recreant,  then  may  ye  bid  me  go  from  you  shame- 
fully ;  but  first  I  let  you  wit  I  will  not  depart  from  you, 
for  I  were  worse  than  a  fool  an  I  would  depart  from  you  all 
the  while  that  I  win  worship.  Well,  said  she,  right  soon 
there  shall  meet  a  knight  shall  pay  thee  all  thy  wages,  for 
he  is  the  most  man  of  worship  of  the  world,  except  King 
Arthur.  I  will  well,  said  Beaumains,  the  more  he  is  of 
worship,  the  more  shall  be  my  worship  to  have  ado  with  him. 
Then  anon  they  were  ware  where  was  afore  them  a  city 
rich  and  fair.  And  betwixt  them  and  the  city  a  mile  and 
an  half  there  was  a  fair  meadow  that  seemed  new  mown, 
and  therein  were  many  pavilions  fair  to  behold.  Lo,  said 
the  damosel,  yonder  is  a  lord  that  owneth  yonder  city,  and 
his  custom  is,  when  the  weather  is  fair,  to  lie  in  this  meadow 
to  joust  and  tourney.  And  ever  there  be  about  him  an 
hundred  knights  and  gentlemen  of  arms,  and  there  be  all 
manner  of  games  that  any  gentleman  can  devise.  That 
goodly  lord,  said  Beaumains,  would  I  fain  see.  Thou  shalt 
see  him  time  enough,  said  the  damosel,  and  so  as  she  rode 
near  she  espied  the  pavilion  where  he  was.  Lo,  said  she, 
seest  thou  yonder  pavilion  that  is  all  of  the  colour  of  Inde, 


BEAUMAINS  AND  THE  DAMOSEL  91 

and  all  manner  of  thing  that  there  is  about  men  and  women, 
and  horses  trapped,  shields  and  spears  were  all  of  the  colour 
of  Inde,  and  his  name  is  Sir  Persant  of  Inde,  the  most  lordliest 
knight  that  ever  thou  lookedst  on.  It  may  well  be,  said 
Beaumains,  but  be  he  never  so  stout  a  knight,  in  this  field 
I  shall  abide  till  that  I  see  him  under  his  shield.  Ah,  fool, 
said  she,  thou  wert  better  flee  betimes.  Why,  said  Beau- 
mains,  an  he  be  such  a  knight  as  ye  make  him,  he  will 
not  set  upon  me  with  all  his  men,  or  with  his  hundred 
knights.  For  an  there  come  no  more  but  one  at  once,  I 
shall  him  not  fail  whilst  my  life  lasteth.  Fie,  fie,  said  the 
damosel,  that  ever  such  a  stinking  knave  should  blow  such 
a  boast.  Damosel,  he  said,  ye  are  to  blame  so  to  rebuke 
me,  for  I  had  liefer  do  five  battles  than  so  to  be  rebuked  ; 
let  him  come  and  then  let  him  do  his  worst. 

Sir,  she  said,  I  marvel  what  thou  art  and  of  what  kin 
thou  art  come  ;  boldly  thou  speakest,  and  boldly  thou  hast 
done,  that  have  I  seen  ;  therefore  I  pray  thee  save  thyself 
an  thou  mayest,  for  thy  horse  and  thou  have  had  great 
travail,  and  I  dread  we  dwell  over  long  from  the  siege,  for 
it  is  but  hence  seven  mile,  and  all  perilous  passages  we  are 
passed  save  all  only  this  passage,  and  there  I  dread  me  sore 
lest  ye  shall  catch  some  hurt ;  therefore  I  would  ye  were 
hence,  that  ye  were  not  bruised  nor  hurt  with  this  strong 
knight.  But  I  let  you  wit  this  Sir  Persant  of  Inde  is  nothing 
of  might  nor  strength  unto  the  knight  that  laid  the  siege 
about  my  lady.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Beaumains,  be  it  as 
it  be  may.  For  sithen  I  am  come  so  nigh  this  knight  I  will 
prove  his  might  or  I  depart  from  him,  and  else  I  shall  be 
shamed  an  I  now  withdraw  me  from  him.  And  therefore, 
damosel,  have  ye  no  doubt  by  the  grace  of  God  I  shall  so 
deal  with  this  knight  that  within  two  hours  after  noon  I 

H 


92  OF  SIR  GARETH 

shall  deliver  him.  And  then  shall  we  come  to  the  siege  by 
daylight.  O  Jesu,  marvel  have  I,  said  the  damosel,  what 
manner  a  man  ye  be,  for  it  may  never  be  otherwise  but 
that  ye  be  come  of  a  noble  blood,  for  so  foul  nor  shamefully 
did  never  woman  rule  a  knight  as  I  have  done  you,  and 
ever  courteously  ye  have  suffered  me,  and  that  came  never 
but  of  a  gentle  blood. 

Damosel,  said  Beaumains,  a  knight  may  little  do  that 
may  not  suffer  a  damosel,  for  whatsomever  ye  said  unto 
me  I  took  none  heed  to  your  words,  for  the  more  ye  said 
the  more  ye  angered  me,  and  my  wrath  I  wreaked  upon 
them  that  I  had  ado  withal.  And  therefore  all  the  mis- 
saying  that  ye  missaid  me  furthered  me  in  my  battle,  and 
caused  me  to  think  to  show  and  prove  myself  at  the  end 
what  I  was  ;  for  peradventure  though  I  had  meat  in  King 
Arthur's  kitchen,  yet  I  might  have  had  meat  enough  in 
other  places,  but  all  that  I  did  it  for  to  prove  and  assay  my 
friends,  and  that  shall  be  known  another  day  ;  and  whether 
that  I  be  a  gentleman  born  or  none,  I  let  you  wit,  fair  damo- 
sel, I  have  done  you  gentleman's  service,  and  peradventure 
better  service  yet  will  I  do  or  I  depart  from  you.  Alas,  she 
said,  fair  Beaumains,  forgive  me  all  that  I  have  missaid  or 
done  against  thee.  With  all  my  heart,  said  he,  I  forgive 
it  you,  for  ye  did  nothing  but  as  ye  should  do,  for  all  your 
evil  words  pleased  me  ;  and  damosel,  said  Beaumains,  since 
it  liketh  you  to  say  thus  fair  unto  me,  wit  ye  well  it  gladdeth 
my  heart  greatly,  and  now  meseemeth  there  is  no  knight 
living  but  I  am  able  enough  for  him. 

With  this  Sir  Persant  of  Inde  had  espied  them  as  they 
hoved  in  the  field,  and  knightly  he  sent  to  them  whether 
he  came  in  war  or  in  peace.  Say  to  thy  lord,  said  Beau- 
mains, I  take  no  force,  but  whether  as  him  list  himself. 


BEAUMAINS  FIGHTS  SIR  PERSANT         93 

So  the  messenger  went  again  unto  Sir  Persant  and  told  him 
all  his  answer.  Well  then  will  I  have  ado  with  him  to  the 
utterance,  and  so  he  purveyed  him  and  rode  against  him. 
And  Beaumains  saw  him  and  made  him  ready,  and  there 
they  met  with  all  that  ever  their  horses  might  run,  and 
brast  their  spears  either  in  three  pieces,  and  their  horses 
rushed  so  together  that  both  their  horses  fell  dead  to  the 
earth  ;  and  lightly  they  avoided  their  horses  and  put  their 
shields  afore  them,  and  drew  their  swords,  and  gave  many 
great  strokes  that  sometime  they  hurtled  together  that  they 
fell  grovelling  on  the  ground.  And  at  the  last  Beaumains 
smote  Sir  Persant  above  upon  the  helm,  that  he  fell  grovelling 
to  the  earth  ;  and  then  he  leapt  upon  him  overthwart  and 
unlaced  his  helm  to  have  slain  him. 

Then  Sir  Persant  yielded  him  and  asked  him  mercy. 
With  that  came  the  damosel  and  prayed  to  save  his  life. 
I  will  well,  for  it  were  pity  this  noble  knight  should  die. 
Gramercy,  said  Persant,  gentle  knight  and  damosel.  For 
certainly  now  I  wot  well  it  was  ye  that  slew  my  brother 
the  Black  Knight  at  the  black  thorn  ;  he  was  a  full  noble 
knight,  his  name  was  Sir  Pereard.  Also  I  am  sure  that  ye 
are  he  that  won  mine  other  brother  the  Green  Knight,  his 
name  was  Sir  Pertolepe.  Also  ye  won  my  brother  the 
Red  Knight,  Sir  Perimones.  And  now  since  ye  have  won 
these,  this  shall  I  do  for  to  please  you  :  ye  shall  have  homage 
and  fealty  of  me,  and  an  hundred  knights  to  be  always  at 
your  commandment,  to  go  and  ride  where  ye  will  command 
us.  And  so  they  went  unto  Sir  Persant's  pavilion  and  drank 
the  wine,  and  ate  spices,  and  afterward  Sir  Persant  made 
him  to  rest  upon  a  bed  until  supper  time,  and  after  supper 
to  bed  again. 


94  OF  SIR  GARETH 

OF  THE  GOODLY  COMMUNICATION  BE- 
TWEEN SIR  PERSANT  AND  BEAUMAINS, 
AND  HOW  THE  LADY  THAT  WAS  BE- 
SIEGED HAD  WORD  FROM  HER  SISTER  THAT 
SHE  HAD  BROUGHT  A  KNIGHT  TO  FIGHT  FOR 
HER.  And  so  on  the  morn  the  damosel  and  Sir  Beaumains 
heard  mass  and  brake  their  fast,  and  so  took  their  leave.  Fair 
damosel,  said  Persant,  whitherward  are  ye  way-leading  this 
knight  ?  Sir,  she  said,  this  knight  is  going  to  the  siege  that 
besiegeth  my  sister  in  the  Castle  Dangerous.  Ah,  ah,  said 
Persant,  that  is  the  Knight  of  the  Red  Laund,  the  which 
is  the  most  perilous  knight  that  I  know  now  living,  and  a 
man  that  is  without  mercy,  and  men  say  that  he  hath  seven 
men's  strength.  God  save  you,  said  he  to  Beaumains,  from 
that  knight,  for  he  doth  great  wrong  to  that  lady,  and  that 
is  great  pity,  for  she  is  one  of  the  fairest  ladies  of  the  world, 
and  meseemeth  that  your  damosel  is  her  sister  :  is  not  your 
name  Linet  ?  said  he.  Yea,  sir,  said  she,  and  my  lady  my 
sister's  name  is  Dame  Lionesse.  Now  shall  I  tell  you,  said 
Sir  Persant,  this  Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Laund  hath  lain 
long  at  the  siege,  well-nigh  this  two  years,  and  many  times 
he  might  have  had  her  an  he  had  would,  but  he  prolongeth 
the  time  to  this  intent,  for  to  have  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  to 
do  battle  with  him,  or  Sir  Tristram,  or  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis, 
or  Sir  Gawaine,  and  this  is  his  tarrying  so  long  at  the  siege. 
Now  my  lord  Sir  Persant  of  Inde,  said  the  damosel 
Linet,  I  require  you  that  ye  will  make  this  gentleman 
knight  or  ever  he  fight  with  the  Red  Knight.  I  will  with 
all  my  heart,  said  Sir  Persant,  an  it  please  him  to  take  the 
order  of  knighthood  of  so  simple  a  man  as  I  am.  Sir,  said 
Beaumains,  I  thank  you  for  your  good  will,  for  I  am  better 
sped,  for  certainly  the  noble  knight  Sir  Launcelot  made 


OF  SIR  PERSANT  AND  BEAUMAINS 


95 


me  knight.  Ah,  said  Sir  Persant,  of  a  more  renowned  knight 
might  ye  not  be  made  knight  ;  for  of  all  knights  he  may 
be  called  chief  of  knighthood  ;  and  so  all  the  world  saith, 
that  betwixt  three  knights  is  departed  clearly  knighthood, 
that  is  Launcelot  du  Lake,  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  and  Sir 
Lamorak  de  Galis  :  these  bear  now  the  renown.  Therefore 
God  speed  you  well,  said  Sir  Persant,  for  an  ye  may  match 
the  Red  Knight  ye  shall  be  called  the  fourth  of  the  world. 

Sir,  said  Beaumains,  I  would  fain  be  of  good  fame  and 
of  knighthood.  And  I  let  you  wit  I  came  of  good  men, 
for  I  dare  say  my  father  was  a  noble  man,  and  so  that  ye 
will  keep  it  in  close,  and  this  damosel,  I  will  tell  you  of  what 
kin  I  am.  We  will  not  discover  you,  said  they  both,  till  ye 
command  us,  by  the  faith  we  owe  unto  God.  Truly  then, 
said  he,  my  name  is  Gareth  of  Orkney,  and  King  Lot  was 
my  father,  and  my  mother  is  King  Arthur's  sister,  her  name 
is  Dame  Morgawse,  and  Sir  Gawaine  is  my  brother,  and 
Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Gaheris,  and  I  am  the  youngest  of 
them  all.  And  yet  wot  not  King  Arthur  nor  Sir  Gawaine 
what  I  am. 

So  the  book  saith  that  the  lady  that  was  besieged  had 
word  of  her  sister's  coming  by  the  dwarf,  and  a  knight  with 
her,  and  how  he  had  passed  all  the  perilous  passages.  What 
manner  a  man  is  he  ?  said  the  lady.  He  is  a  noble  knight, 
truly,  madam,  said  the  dwarf,  and  but  a  young  man,  but 
he  is  as  likely  a  man  as  ever  ye  saw  any.  What  is  he  ?  said 
the  damosel,  and  of  what  kin  is  he  come,  and  of  whom  was 
he  made  knight  ?  Madam,  said  the  dwarf,  he  is  the  king's 
son  of  Orkney,  but  his  name  I  will  not  tell  you  as  at  this 
time  ;  but  wit  ye  well,  of  Sir  Launcelot  was  he  made  knight. 

Dwarf,  said  the  lady,  I  am  glad  of  these  tidings,  there- 
fore go  thou  in  an  hermitage  of  mine  hereby,  and  there 


96  OF  SIR  GARETH 

shalt  thou  bear  with  thee  of  my  wine  in  two  flagons  of  silver, 
they  are  of  two  gallons,  and  also  two  cast  of  bread  with  fat 
venison  baked,  and  dainty  fowls  ;  and  a  cup  of  gold  here  I 
deliver  thee,  that  is  rich  and  precious  ;  and  bear  all  this 
to  mine  hermitage,  and  put  it  in  the  hermit's  hands.  And 
sithen  go  thou  unto  my  sister  and  greet  her  well,  and  com- 
mend me  unto  that  gentle  knight,  and  pray  him  to  eat  and 
to  drink  and  make  him  strong,  and  say  ye  him  I  thank  him 
of  his  courtesy  and  goodness,  that  he  would  take  upon  him 
such  labour  for  me  that  never  did  him  bounty  nor  courtesy. 
Also  pray  him  that  he  be  of  good  heart  and  courage,  for 
he  shall  meet  with  a  full  noble  knight,  but  he  is  neither  of 
bounty,  courtesy,  nor  gentleness  ;  for  he  attendeth  unto 
nothing  but  to  murder,  and  that  is  the  cause  I  cannot  praise 
him  nor  love  him. 

So  this  dwarf  departed,  and  came  to  Sir  Persant,  where 
he  found  the  damosel  Linet  and  Sir  Beaumains,  and  there 
he  told  them  all  as  ye  have  heard  ;  and  then  they  took  their 
leave,  but  Sir  Persant  took  an  ambling  hackney  and  con- 
veyed them  on  their  ways,  and  then  beleft  them  to  God  ; 
and  so  within  a  little  while  they  came  to  that  hermitage, 
and  there  they  drank  the  wine,  and  ate  the  venison  and  the 
fowls  baken. 

HOW  BEAUMAINS  BLEW  A  HORN, 
AND  THEN  THE  KNIGHT  OF  THE 
RED  LAUNDS  CAME  TO  FIGHT 
WITH  HIM,  AND  HOW  BEAUMAINS  MADE  HIM 
YIELD  TO  THE  LADY  AND  GO  UNTO  KING 
ARTHUR'S  COURT  AND  CRY  SIR  LAUNCELOT 
MERCY,  AND  OF  THE  TROTH  PLIGHT  OF  BEAU- 
MAINS AND  THE  LADY.     Upon  the  morn  Beaumains 


BEAUMAINS  COMES  TO  THE  SIEGE  97 

and  the  damosel  Linet  heard  their  mass  and  brake  their  fast. 
And  then  they  took  their  horses  and  came  to  a  plain,  and  saw 
where  were  many  pavilions  and  tents,  and  a  fair  casde,  and 
there  was  much  smoke  and  great  noise  ;  and  when  they  came 
near  the  siege  Sir  Beaumains  espied  upon  great  trees,  as  he 
rode,  how  there  hung  full  goodly  armed  knights  by  the  neck, 
and  their  shields  about  their  necks  with  their  swords,  and 
gilt  spurs  upon  their  heels,  and  so  there  hung  nigh  a  forty 
knights  shamefully  with  full  rich  arms. 

Then  Sir  Beaumains  abated  his  countenance  and  said, 
What  meaneth  this  ?  Fair  sir,  said  the  damosel,  abate  not 
your  cheer  for  all  this  sight,  for  ye  must  courage  yourself, 
or  else  ye  be  all  shent,  for  all  these  knights  came  hither  to 
this  siege  to  rescue  my  sister  Dame  Lionesse,  and  when  the 
Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds  had  overcome  them,  he  put 
them  to  this  shameful  death  without  mercy  and  pity.  And 
in  the  same  wise  he  will  serve  you,  but  if  you  quit  you  the 
better. 

Now  Jesu  defend  me,  said  Beaumains,  from  such  a 
villainous  death  and  shenship  of  arms.  For  rather  than  I 
should  so  be  faren  withal,  I  would  be  slain  manly  in  plain 
batde.  So  were  ye  better,  said  the  damosel  ;  for  trust  not, 
in  him  is  no  courtesy,  but  all  goeth  to  the  death  or  shameful 
murder,  and  that  is  pity,  for  he  is  a  full  noble  knight  of 
prowess. 

And  then  they  rode  to  the  dykes,  and  saw  them  double 
dyked  with  full  warlike  walls  ;  and  there  were  lodged 
many  great  lords  nigh  the  walls  ;  and  there  was  great  noise 
of  minstrelsy  ;  and  the  sea  beat  upon  the  one  side  of  the 
walls,  where  were  many  ships  and  mariners'  noise  with 
"  hale  and  how."  And  also  there  was  fast  by  a  sycamore 
tree,  and  there  hung  an  horn,  the  greatest  that  ever  they 


98  OF  SIR  GARETH 

saw,  of  an  elephant's  bone  ;  and  this  Knight  of  the  Red 
Launds  had  hanged  it  up  there,  that  if  there  came  any 
errant-knight,  he  must  blow  that  horn,  and  then  will  he 
make  him  ready  and  come  to  him  to  do  battle.  But,  sir, 
I  pray  you,  said  the  damosel  Linet,  blow  ye  not  the  horn 
till  it  be  high  noon,  for  now  it  is  about  prime,  and  now  in- 
creaseth  his  might,  that  as  men  say  he  hath  seven  men's 
strength.  Ah,  fie  for  shame,  fair  damosel,  say  ye  never  so 
more  to  me  ;  for,  an  he  were  as  good  a  knight  as  ever  was, 
I  shall  never  fail  him  in  his  most  might,  for  either  I  will 
win  worship  worshipfully,  or  die  knighdy  in  the  field.  And 
therewith  he  spurred  his  horse  straight  to  the  sycamore  tree, 
and  blew  so  the  horn  eagerly  that  all  the  siege  and  the  castle 
rang  thereof.  And  then  there  leapt  out  knights  out  of  their 
tents  and  pavilions,  and  they  within  the  castle  looked  over 
the  walls  and  out  at  windows. 

Then  the  Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds  armed  him 
hastily,  and  two  barons  set  on  his  spurs  upon  his  heels,  and 
all  was  blood  red,  his  armour,  spear  and  shield.  And  an 
earl  buckled  his  helm  upon  his  head,  and  then  they  brought 
him  a  red  spear  and  a  red  steed,  and  so  he  rode  into  a  little 
vale  under  the  castle,  that  all  that  were  in  the  castle  and  at 
the  siege  might  behold  the  battle. 

Sir,  said  the  damosel  Linet  unto  Sir  Beaumains,  look  ye 
be  glad  and  light,  for  yonder  is  your  deadly  enemy,  and 
at  yonder  window  is  my  lady  sister,  Dame  Lionesse. 
Where  ?  said  Beaumains.  Yonder,  said  the  damosel,  and 
pointed  with  her  finger.  That  is  truth,  said  Beaumains. 
She  beseemeth  afar  the  fairest  lady  that  ever  I  looked  upon  ; 
and  truly,  he  said,  I  ask  no  better  quarrel  than  now  for  to 
do  battle,  for  truly  she  shall  be  my  lady,  and  for  her  I  will 
fight.     And  ever  he  looked  up  to  the  window  with  glad 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  THE  RED  LAUNDS         99 

countenance,  and  the  Lady  Lionesse  made  curtsey  to  him 
down  to  the  earth,  with  holding  up  both  their  hands. 

With  that  the  Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds  called 
to  Sir  Beaumains,  Leave,  sir  knight,  thy  looking,  and  be- 
hold me,  I  counsel  thee  ;  for  I  warn  thee  well  she  is  my 
lady,  and  for  her  I  have  done  many  strong  battles.  If  thou 
have  so  done,  said  Beaumains,  meseemeth  it  was  but  waste 
labour,  for  she  loveth  none  of  thy  fellowship,  and  thou  to 
love  that  loveth  not  thee  is  but  great  folly.  For  an  I  under- 
stood that  she  were  not  glad  of  my  coming,  I  would  be 
advised  or  I  did  battle  for  her.  But  I  understand  by  the 
besieging  of  this  castle  she  may  forbear  thy  fellowship. 
And  therefore  wit  thou  well,  thou  Red  Knight  of  the  Red 
Launds,  I  love  her,  and  will  rescue  her,  or  else  to  die.  Sayst 
thou  that  ?  said  the  Red  Knight,  meseemeth  thou  ought  of 
reason  to  be  ware  by  yonder  knights  that  thou  sawest  hang 
upon  yonder  trees.  Fie  for  shame,  said  Beaumains,  that 
ever  thou  shouldest  say  or  do  so  evil,  for  in  that  thou  shamest 
thyself  and  knighthood,  and  thou  mayst  be  sure  there  will 
no  lady  love  thee  that  knoweth  thy  wicked  customs.  And 
now  thou  weenest  that  the  sight  of  these  hanged  knights 
should  fear  me.  Nay  truly,  not  so  ;  that  shameful  sight 
causeth  me  to  have  courage  and  hardiness  against  thee, 
more  than  I  would  have  had  against  thee  an  thou  wert  a 
well-ruled  knight.  Make  thee  ready,  said  the  Red  Knight 
of  the  Red  Launds,  and  talk  no  longer  with  me. 

Then  Sir  Beaumains  bade  the  damosel  go  from  him  ; 
and  then  they  put  their  spears  in  their  rests,  and  came  to- 
gether with  all  their  might  that  they  had  both,  and  either 
smote  other  in  midst  of  their  shields  that  the  paitrelles, 
surcingles,  and  cruppers  brast,  and  fell  to  the  earth  both, 
and  the  reins  of  their  bridles  in  their  hands  ;    and  so  they 


ioo  OF  SIR  GARETH 

lay  a  great  while  sore  astonied.  Then  they  avoided  their 
horses  and  put  their  shields  afore  them,  and  drew  their 
swords  and  ran  together  like  two  fierce  lions. 

Thus  they  fought  till  it  was  past  noon,  and  never  would 
stint,  till  at  the  last  they  lacked  wind  both  ;  and  when  they 
had  rested  them  a  while  they  went  to  battle  again,  tracing, 
racing,  foining  as  two  boars.  And  thus  they  endured  till 
evensong  time,  that  there  was  none  that  beheld  them  might 
know  whether  was  like  to  win  the  battle  ;  and  their  armour 
was  so  far  hewn  that  men  might  see  their  naked  sides  ;  and 
in  other  places  they  were  naked,  but  ever  the  naked  places 
they  did  defend.  And  the  Red  Knight  was  a  wily  knight 
of  war,  and  his  wily  fighting  taught  Sir  Beaumains  to  be 
wise  ;  but  he  abought  it  full  sore  ere  he  did  espy  his  fighting. 

And  thus  by  assent  of  them  both  they  granted  either 
other  to  rest  ;  and  so  they  set  them  down  upon  two  mole- 
hills there  beside  the  fighting  place,  and  either  of  them 
unlaced  his  helm,  and  took  the  cold  wind.  And  then  when 
Sir  Beaumains'  helm  was  off,  he  looked  up  to  the  window, 
and  there  he  saw  the  fair  lady  Dame  Lionesse,  and  she  made 
him  such  countenance  that  his  heart  waxed  light  and  jolly  ; 
and  therewith  he  bade  the  Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds 
make  him  ready,  and  let  us  do  the  batde  to  the  utterance. 
I  will  well,  said  the  knight,  and  then  they  laced  up  their 
helms  and  fought  freshly  ;  but  the  Red  Knight  of  the  Red 
Launds  awaited  him,  and  at  an  overthwart  smote  him 
within  the  hand,  that  his  sword  fell  out  of  his  hand  ;  and 
yet  he  gave  him  another  buffet  upon  the  helm  that  he  fell 
grovelling  to  the  earth,  and  the  Red  Knight  fell  over  him, 
for  to  hold  him  down. 

Then  cried  the  maiden  Linet  on  high  :  O  Sir  Beau- 
mains, where  is  thy  courage  become  ?     Alas,  my  lady  my 


BEAUMAINS  OVERCOMES  THE  RED  KNIGHT  101 

sister  beholdeth  thee,  and  she  sobbeth  and  weepeth,  that 
maketh  mine  heart  heavy.  When  Sir  Beaumains  heard 
her  say  so,  he  abraid  up  with  a  great  might  and  gat  him 
upon  his  feet,  and  lightly  he  leapt  to  his  sword  and  gripped 
it  in  his  hand,  and  doubled  his  pace  unto  the  Red  Knight, 
and  there  they  fought  a  new  battle  together.  But  Sir 
Beaumains  then  doubled  his  strokes,  and  smote  so  thick 
that  he  smote  the  sword  out  of  his  hand,  and  then  he  smote 
him  upon  the  helm  that  he  fell  to  the  earth,  and  Sir  Beau- 
mains fell  upon  him,  and  unlaced  his  helm  to  have  slain  him  ; 
and  then  he  yielded  him  and  asked  mercy,  and  said  with 
a  loud  voice  :    O  noble  knight,  I  yield  me  to  thy  mercy. 

Then  Sir  Beaumains  bethought  him  upon  the  knights 
that  the  Red  Knight  had  made  to  be  hanged  shamefully, 
and  then  he  said  :  I  may  not  with  my  worship  save  thy  life, 
for  the  shameful  deaths  that  thou  hast  caused  many  full  good 
knights  to  die.  Sir,  said  the  Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds, 
hold  your  hand  and  ye  shall  know  the  causes  why  I  put 
them  to  so  shameful  a  death.  Say  on,  said  Sir  Beaumains. 
Sir,  I  loved  once  a  lady,  a  fair  damosel,  and  she  had  her 
brother  slain  ;  and  she  said  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake, 
or  else  Sir  Gawaine  ;  and  she  prayed  me  as  that  I  loved  her 
heartily,  that  I  would  make  her  a  promise  by  the  faith  of 
my  knighthood,  for  to  labour  daily  in  arms  until  I  met 
with  one  of  them  ;  and  all  that  I  might  overcome  I  should 
put  them  unto  a  villainous  death  ;  and  this  is  the  cause  that 
I  have  put  all  these  knights  to  death,  and  so  I  ensured  her 
to  do  all  the  villainy  unto  King  Arthur's  knights,  and  that 
I  should  take  vengeance  upon  all  these  knights. 

Then  came  there  many  earls,  and  barons,  and  noble 
knights,  and  prayed  that  knight  to  save  his  life,  and  take 
him  to  your  prisoner.     Fair  lords,  said  Beaumains,  wit  you 


102  OF  SIR  GARETH 

well  I  am  full  loath  to  slay  this  knight,  nevertheless  he  hath 
done  passing  ill  and  shamefully  ;  but  insomuch  all  that  he 
did  was  at  a  lady's  request  I  blame  him  the  less  ;  and  so  for 
your  sake  I  will  release  him  that  he  shall  have  his  life  upon 
this  covenant,  that  he  go  within  the  castle,  and  yield  him 
there  to  the  lady,  and  if  she  will  forgive  and  quit  him,  I 
will  well  ;  with  this  he  make  her  amends  of  all  the  trespass 
he  hath  done  against  her  and  her  lands.  And  also,  when 
that  is  done,  that  ye  go  unto  the  court  of  King  Arthur,  and 
there  that  ye  ask  Sir  Launcelot  mercy,  and  Sir  Gawaine, 
for  the  evil  will  ye  have  had  against  them.  Sir,  said  the  Red 
Knight  of  the  Red  Launds,  all  this  will  I  do  as  ye  com- 
mand, and  siker  assurance  and  borrows  ye  shall  have.  And 
so  then  when  the  assurance  was  made,  he  made  his  homage 
and  fealty,  and  all  those  earls  and  barons  with  him. 

And  then  the  maiden  Linet  came  to  Sir  Beaumains,  and 
unarmed  him  and  searched  his  wounds,  and  stinted  his 
blood,  and  in  like  wise  she  did  to  the  Red  Knight  of  the 
Red  Launds.  And  there  they  sojourned  ten  days  in  their 
tents  ;  and  the  Red  Knight  made  his  lords  and  servants 
to  do  all  the  pleasure  that  they  might  unto  Sir  Beaumains. 
And  so  within  a  while  the  Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds 
went  unto  the  castle,  and  put  him  in  her  grace.  And  so  she 
received  him  upon  sufficient  surety,  so  all  her  hurts  were  well 
restored  of  all  that  she  could  complain.  And  then  came  forth 
Dame  Lionesse  arrayed  like  a  princess,  and  there  she  made  Sir 
Gareth  passing  good  cheer,  and  he  her  again  ;  and  they  had 
goodly  language  and  lovely  countenance  together.  And  then 
she  let  fetch  to-fore  him  Linet,  the  damosel  that  had  ridden 
with  him  many  wildsome  ways.  Then  was  Sir  Gareth  more 
gladder  than  he  was  to-fore.  And  then  they  troth-plight 
each  other  to  love  and  never  to  fail  whiles  their  life  lasteth. 


ye  go  unto  th; 
Laun< 

adc,  he  made  h 
barons  with  h 
rr     ™  c    L         jim        •         Beaumai 

How  Dame  Lionesse  came  forth  arrayed  like  a  princess. 

To  fact  pagexo*.  ght     I 

■ 

■ 


n 
Gareth  pa; 

!i  to-fo; 


OF  THE  QUEEN  OF  ORKNEY  103 

HOW  THE  QUEEN  OF  ORKNEY  CAME 
TO  KING  ARTHUR'S  COURT,  AND 
HOW  KING  ARTHUR  SENT  FOR  DAME 
LIONESSE  AND  OF  THE  TOURNEY 
HELD  AT  HER  CASTLE.  So  turn  we  unto 
King  Arthur,  that  at  the  next  feast  of  Pente- 
cost held  his  feast.  And  there  came  the  Green  Knight  with 
thirty  knights  and  yielded  them  all  unto  King  Arthur.  And 
so  there  came  the  Red  Knight,  his  brother,  and  yielded  him 
to  King  Arthur  and  threescore  knights  with  him.  Also 
there  came  the  Blue  Knight,  brother  to  them,  with  an 
hundred  knights.  These  three  brethren  told  King  Arthur 
how  they  were  overcome  by  a  knight  that  a  damosel  had  with 
her,  and  called  him  Beaumains.  I  marvel,  said  the  king, 
what  knight  he  is  and  of  what  lineage  he  is  come.  He  was 
with  me  a  twelvemonth  and  poorly  and  shamefully  he  was 
fostered,  and  Sir  Kay  in  scorn  named  him  Beaumains.  So 
right  as  the  king  stood  so  talking  with  these  three  brethren 
there  came  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  and  told  the  king  there 
was  come  a  goodly  lord  with  five  hundred  knights  with  him. 
Then  the  king  went  out  of  Carlion,  for  there  was  the  feast, 
and  there  came  to  him  this  lord,  and  saluted  the  king  in  the 
most  goodly  manner.  Sir,  he  said,  my  name  is  the  Red 
Knight  of  the  Red  Launds,  and  I  am  sent  to  you  of  a  knight 
that  is  called  Beaumains,  for  he  won  me  in  pleyn  battle,  and 
both  I  and  these  five  hundred  knights  shall  always  be  at  your 
summons  to  do  you  service  as  may  lie  in  our  powers.  Well, 
my  fair  lords,  said  King  Arthur,  wit  you  well  I  shall  do  you 
honour  for  the  love  of  Sir  Beaumains.  So  then  the  king  and 
they  went  to  meat,  and  were  served  in  the  best  manner.  And 
as  they  sat  at  the  meat,  there  came  in  the  Queen  of  Orkney, 
with  ladies  and  knights  a  great  number.      And   then   Sir 


104  OF  SIR  GARETH 

Gawaine,  Sir  Agravaine,  and  Gaheris  arose,  and  went  to  her 
and  saluted  her  upon  their  knees,  and  asked  her  blessing  ; 
for  in  fifteen  year  they  had  not  seen  her.  Then  she  spake 
on  high  to  her  brother  King  Arthur :  Where  have  ye  done 
my  young  son  Sir  Gareth  ?  He  was  here  amongst  you  a 
twelvemonth,  and  ye  made  a  kitchen  knave  of  him,  the 
which  is  shame  to  you  all.  Alas,  where  have  ye  done  my 
dear  son  that  was  my  joy  and  bliss  ?  O  dear  mother,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  I  knew  him  not.  Nor  I,  said  the  king,  that 
now  me  repenteth,  but  thanked  be  God  he  is  proved  a 
worshipful  knight  as  any  is  now  living  of  his  years,  and  I 
shall  never  be  glad  till  I  may  find  him. 

Ah,  brother,  said  the  Queen  unto  King  Arthur,  and  unto 
Sir  Gawaine,  and  to  all  her  sons,  ye  did  yourself  great  shame 
when  ye  amongst  you  kept  my  son  in  the  kitchen  and  fed 
him  like  a  poor  hog.  Fair  sister,  said  King  Arthur,  ye  shall 
right  well  wit  I  knew  him  not,  nor  no  more  did  Sir  Gawaine, 
nor  his  brethren  ;  but  sithen  it  is  so,  said  the  king,  that  he 
is  thus  gone  from  us  all,  we  must  shape  a  remedy  to  find  him. 

So  then  goodly  letters  were  made,  and  a  messenger  sent 
forth,  that  night  and  day  he  went  till  he  came  unto  the 
Castle  Perilous.  And  then  the  lady  Dame  Lionesse  was 
sent  for.  And  when  she  understood  this  message,  she  bade 
him  ride  on  his  way  unto  King  Arthur,  and  she  would  come 
after  in  all  goodly  haste. 

So  Dame  Lionesse  departed  and  came  to  King  Arthur, 
where  she  was  nobly  received,  and  there  she  was  sore 
questioned  of  the  king  and  of  the  Queen  of  Orkney.  And 
she  answered,  where  Sir  Gareth  was  she  could  not  tell. 
But  thus  much  she  said  unto  Arthur  :  Sir,  I  will  let  cry  a 
tournament  that  shall  be  done  before  my  castle  at  the  Assump- 
tion of  our  Lady,  and  the  cry  shall  be  this  :    that  you,  my 


HOW  LIONESSE  CRIED  A  TOURNEY      105 

lord  Arthur,  shall  be  there,  and  your  knights,  and  I  will 
purvey  that  my  knights  shall  be  against  yours  ;  and  then 
I  am  sure  ye  shall  hear  of  Sir  Gareth.  This  is  well  advised, 
said  King  Arthur  ;  and  so  she  departed.  And  the  king 
and  she  made  great  provision  to  that  tournament. 

And  so  the  cry  was  made  in  England,  Wales,  and 
Scotland,  Ireland,  Cornwall,  and  in  all  the  Out  Isles,  and 
in  Brittany  and  in  many  countries  ;  that  at  the  feast  of  our 
Lady  the  Assumption  next  coming,  men  should  come  to 
the  Castle  Perilous  beside  the  Isle  of  Avilion  ;  and  there 
all  the  knights  that  there  came  should  have  the  choice 
whether  them  list  to  be  on  the  one  party  with  the  knights 
of  the  castle,  or  on  the  other  party  with  King  Arthur.  And 
two  months  was  to  the  day  that  the  tournament  should  be. 
And  so  there  came  many  good  knights  that  were  at  their 
large,  and  held  them  for  the  most  part  against  King  Arthur 
and  his  knights  of  the  Round  Table  and  came  on  the  side 
of  them  of  the  castle. 

And  then  Sir  Gareth  prayed  Dame  Lionesse  and  the 
Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds,  and  Sir  Persant  and  his 
brother,  and  Sir  Gringamore,  that  in  no  wise  there  should 
none  of  them  tell  not  his  name,  and  make  no  more  of  him 
than  of  the  least  knight  that  there  was,  For,  he  said,  I  will 
not  be  known  of  neither  more  nor  less,  neither  at  the  be- 
ginning neither  at  the  ending.  Then  Dame  Lionesse  said 
unto  Sir  Gareth  :  Sir,  I  will  lend  you  a  ring,  but  I  would 
pray  you  as  you  love  me  heartily  let  me  have  it  again  when 
the  tournament  is  done,  for  that  ring  increaseth  my  beauty 
much  more  than  it  is  of  itself.  And  the  virtue  of  my 
ring  is  that  that  is  green  it  will  turn  to  red,  and  that  is  red 
it  will  turn  in  likeness  to  green,  and  that  is  blue  it  will  turn 
to  likeness  of  white,  and  that  is  white  it  will  turn  in  likeness 

1 


io6  OF  SIR  GARETH 

to  blue,  and  so  it  will  do  of  all  manner  of  colours.  Also 
who  that  beareth  my  ring  shall  lose  no  blood,  and  for  great 
love  I  will  give  you  this  ring.  Gramercy,  said  Sir  Gareth, 
mine  own  lady,  for  this  ring  is  passing  meet  for  me,  for  it 
will  turn  all  manner  of  likeness  that  I  am  in,  and  that  shall 
cause  me  that  I  shall  not  be  known. 

And  upon  the  Assumption  Day,  when  mass  and  matins 
were  done,  there  were  heralds  with  trumpets  commanded 
to  blow  to  the  field.  And  so  there  came  out  Sir  Tristram, 
Sir  Sadok,  and  Sir  Dinas,  knights  of  the  castle,  and  there 
encountered  Sir  Tristram  with  Sir  Bedivere,  and  there  Sir 
Bedivere  was  smitten  to  the  earth  both  horse  and  man. 
And  Sir  Sadok  encountered  with  Sir  Petipase,  and  there  Sir 
Sadok  was  overthrown.  And  there  Uwaine  les  Avoutres 
smote  down  Sir  Dinas,  the  Seneschal.  Then  came  in  Sir 
Persant  of  Inde,  a  knight  of  the  castle,  and  there  encountered 
with  him  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and  there  he  smote  Sir 
Persant,  horse  and  man,  to  the  earth.  Then  came  Sir 
Pertolepe,  the  Green  Knight,  and  smote  down  Sir  Lionel, 
brother  to  Sir  Launcelot.  All  this  was  marked  by  noble 
heralds,  who  bare  him  best,  and  their  names. 

And  then  came  into  the  field  Sir  Perimones,  the  Red 
Knight,  Sir  Persant's  brother,  that  was  a  knight  of  the 
castle,  and  he  encountered  with  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and 
either  smote  other  so  hard  that  both  their  horses  and  they 
fell  to  the  earth.  And  then  came  in  the  Red  Knight  of 
the  Red  Launds,  and  Sir  Gareth,  from  the  castle,  and  there 
encountered  with  them  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  and  Sir  Bleoberis, 
and  there  the  Red  Knight  and  Sir  Bors  either  smote  other 
so  hard  that  their  spears  brast,  and  their  horses  fell  grovelling 
to  the  earth.  Then  Sir  Bleoberis  brake  his  spear  upon  Sir 
Gareth,  but  of  that  stroke  Sir  Bleoberis  fell  to  the  earth. 


OF  THE  KNIGHTS  IN  BATTLE  107 

When  Sir  Galihodin  saw  that  he  bade  Sir  Gareth  keep  him, 
and  Sir  Gareth  smote  him  to  the  earth.  Then  Sir  Galihud 
gat  a  spear  to  avenge  his  brother,  and  in  the  same  wise  Sir 
Gareth  served  him,  and  Sir  Dinadan  and  his  brother,  La 
Cote  Male  Taile,  and  Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous,  and  Sir 
Dodinas  le  Savage.     All  these  he  bare  down  with  one  spear. 

When  King  Agwisance  of  Ireland  saw  Sir  Gareth  fare 
so,  he  marvelled  what  he  might  be  that  one  time  seemed 
green,  and  another  time,  at  his  again  coming,  he  seemed 
blue.  And  thus  at  every  course  that  he  rode  to  and  fro 
he  changed  his  colour,  so  that  there  might  neither  king 
nor  knight  have  ready  cognisance  of  him.  Then  Sir 
Agwisance,  the  King  of  Ireland,  encountered  with  Sir 
Gareth,  and  there  Sir  Gareth  smote  him  from  his  horse, 
saddle  and  all.  And  then  came  King  Carados  of  Scodand, 
and  Sir  Gareth  smote  him  down  horse  and  man.  And  in 
the  same  wise  he  served  King  Uriens  of  the  land  of  Gore. 
And  then  Sir  Galahault,  the  noble  prince,  cried  on  high  : 
Knight  with  the  many  colours,  well  hast  thou  jousted  ;  now 
make  thee  ready  that  I  may  joust  with  thee.  Sir  Gareth 
heard  him,  and  he  gat  a  great  spear,  and  so  they  encountered 
together,  and  there  the  prince  brake  his  spear  ;  but  Sir 
Gareth  smote  him  upon  the  left  side  of  the  helm  that  he 
reeled  here  and  there,  and  he  had  fallen  down  had  not  his 
men  recovered  him. 

That  same  knight  with  the  many  colours  is  a  good 
knight,  said  King  Arthur.  Wherefore  the  king  called  unto 
him  Sir  Launcelot,  and  prayed  him  to  encounter  with  that 
knight.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  I  may  well  find  in  my  heart 
for  to  forbear  him  as  at  this  dme,  for  he  hath  had  travail 
enough  this  day  ;  and  when  a  good  knight  doth  so  well 
upon  some  day,  it  is  no  good  knight's  part  to  let  him  of  his 


108  OF  SIR  GARETH 

worship,  and  namely,  when  he  seeth  a  knight  hath  done  so 
great  labour  ;  for  peradventure,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  his 
quarrel  is  here  this  day,  and  peradventure  he  is  best  beloved 
with  this  lady  of  all  that  be  here  ;  for  I  see  well  he  paineth 
him  and  enforceth  him  to  do  great  deeds,  and  therefore, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  as  for  me,  this  day  he  shall  have  the 
honour ;  though  it  lay  in  my  power  to  put  him  from  it  I 
would  not. 

Then  Sir  Gareth  rode  out  on  the  one  side  to  amend 
his  helm  ;  and  then  said  his  dwarf  :  Give  me  your  ring, 
that  ye  lose  it  not  while  that  ye  drink.  And  so  when  he  had 
drunk  he  gat  on  his  helm,  and  eagerly  took  his  horse  and 
rode  into  the  field,  and  left  his  ring  with  his  dwarf  ;  and 
the  dwarf  was  glad  the  ring  was  from  him,  for  then  he  wist 
well  he  should  be  known.  And  then  when  Sir  Gareth  was 
in  the  field  all  folks  saw  him  well  and  plainly  that  he  was 
in  yellow  colours  ;  and  there  he  rased  off  helms  and  pulled 
down  knights,  that  King  Arthur  had  marvel  what  knight 
he  was,  for  the  king  saw  by  his  hair  that  it  was  the  same 
knight.  But  before  he  was  in  so  many  colours,  and  now  he 
is  but  in  one  colour  ;  that  is  yellow.  Now  go,  said  King 
Arthur  unto  divers  heralds,  and  ride  about  him,  and  espy 
what  manner  knight  he  is,  for  I  have  spered  of  many  knights 
this  day  that  be  upon  his  party,  and  all  say  they  know  him 
not.  And  so  an  herald  rode  nigh  Gareth  as  he  could  ;  and 
there  he  saw  written  about  his  helm  in  gold,  This  helm  is 
Sir  Gareth  of  Orkney.  Then  the  herald  cried  as  he  were 
wood,  and  many  heralds  with  him  : — This  is  Sir  Gareth  of 
Orkney  in  the  yellow  arms  ;  wherby  all  kings  and  knights 
of  Arthur's  beheld  him  and  awaited  ;  and  then  they  pressed 
all  to  behold  him,  and  ever  the  heralds  cried  :  This  is  Sir 
Gareth  of  Orkney,  King  Lot's  son.     And  when  Sir  Gareth 


HOW  SIR  GARETH  CAME  TO  A  CASTLE    109 

espied  that  he  was  discovered,  then  he  doubled  his  strokes, 
and  smote  down  Sir  Sagramore,  and  his  brother  Sir  Gawaine. 
O  brother,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  weened  ye  would  not  have 
stricken  me. 

So  when  he  heard  him  say  so  he  thrang  here  and  there, 
and  so  with  great  pain  he  gat  out  of  the  press,  and  there 
he  met  with  his  dwarf.  O  boy,  said  Sir  Gareth,  thou  hast 
beguiled  me  foul  this  day  that  thou  kept  my  ring  ;  give  it 
me  anon  again,  that  I  may  hide  my  body  withal  ;  and  so 
he  took  it  him.  And  then  they  all  wist  not  where  he  was 
become  ;  and  Sir  Gawaine  had  in  manner  espied  where  Sir 
Gareth  rode,  and  then  he  rode  after  with  all  his  might. 
That  espied  Sir  Gareth,  and  rode  lightly  into  the  forest, 
that  Sir  Gawaine  wist  not  where  he  was  become.  And 
then  fell  there  a  thunder  and  a  rain,  as  heaven  and  earth 
should  go  together.  And  Sir  Gareth  was  not  a  little  weary, 
for  of  all  that  day  he  had  but  little  rest,  neither  his  horse 
nor  he.  So  this  Sir  Gareth  rode  so  long  in  that  forest  until 
the  night  came.  And  ever  it  lightened  and  thundered, 
as  it  had  been  wood.  At  the  last  by  fortune  he  came  to  a 
castle,  and  there  he  heard  the  waits  upon  the  walls. 

HOW  SIR  GARETH  CAME  TO  A 
CASTLE  WHERE  HE  WAS  WELL 
LODGED,  AND  HOW  HE  JOUSTED 
WITH  THE  LORD  OF  THE  CASTLE, 
AND  HOW  SIR  GARETH  AND  SIR 
GAWAINE  FOUGHT  EACH  AGAINST 
OTHER  AND  KNEW  EACH  OTHER  BY  THE 
DAMOSEL  •  LINET.  Then  Sir  Gareth  rode  unto  the 
barbican,  and  prayed  the  porter  fair  to  let  him  into  the  castle. 
The  porter  answered  ungoodly  again,  and  said,  Thou  gettest 


no  OF  SIR  GARETH 

no  lodging  here.  Fair  sir,  say  not  so,  for  I  am  a  knight  of 
King  Arthur's,  and  pray  the  lord  or  the  lady  of  this  castle  to 
give  me  harbour  for  the  love  of  King  Arthur.  Then  the 
porter  went  unto  the  duchess,  and  told  her  how  there  was 
a  knight  of  King  Arthur's  would  have  harbour.  Let  him 
in,  said  the  duchess,  for  I  will  see  that  knight,  and  for  King 
Arthur's  sake  he  shall  not  be  harbourless.  Then  she  went 
up  into  a  tower  over  the  gate,  with  great  torch-light. 

When  Sir  Gareth  saw  that  torch-light  he  cried  on  high  : 
Whether  thou  be  lord  or  lady,  giant  or  champion,  I  take 
no  force  so  that  I  may  have  harbour  this  night  ;  and  if  it 
so  be  that  I  must  needs  fight,  spare  me  not  to-morn  when 
I  have  rested  me,  for  both  I  and  mine  horse  be  weary.  Sir 
knight,  said  the  lady,  thou  speakest  knightly  and  boldly  ; 
but  wit  thou  well  the  lord  of  this  casde  loveth  not  King 
Arthur,  nor  none  of  his  court,  for  my  lord  hath  ever  been 
against  him  ;  and  therefore  thou  were  better  not  to  come 
within  this  castle  ;  for  an  thou  come  in  this  night,  thou 
must  come  in  under  such  form,  that  wheresomever  thou 
meet  my  lord,  by  stigh  or  by  street,  thou  must  yield  thee 
to  him  as  prisoner.  Madam,  said  Sir  Gareth,  what  is  your 
lord,  and  what  is  his  name  ?  Sir,  my  lord's  name  is  the 
Duke  de  la  Rowse.  Well  madam,  said  Sir  Gareth,  I  shall 
promise  you  in  what  place  I  meet  your  lord  I  shall  yield  me 
unto  him  and  to  his  good  grace  ;  with  that  I  understand 
he  will  do  me  no  harm  :  and  if  I  understand  that  he  will, 
I  will  release  myself,  an  I  can,  with  my  spear  and  my  sword. 
Ye  say  well,  said  the  duchess  ;  and  then  she  let  the  draw- 
bridge down,  and  so  he  rode  into  the  hall,  and  there  he 
alighted,  and  his  horse  was  led  into  a  stable  ;  and  in  the  hall 
he  unarmed  him  and  said,  Madam,  I  will  not  out  of  this 
hall  this  night ;    and  when  it  is  daylight,  let  see  who  will 


GARETH  FIGHTS  THE  DUKE  DE  LA  ROWSE  1 1 1 

have  ado  with  me,  he  shall  find  me  ready.  Then  was  he 
set  unto  supper,  and  had  many  good  dishes.  Then  Sir 
Gareth  list  well  to  eat,  and  knighdy  he  ate  his  meat,  and 
eagerly  ;  there  was  many  a  fair  lady  by  him,  and  some  said 
they  never  saw  a  goodlier  man  nor  so  well  of  eating.  Then 
they  made  him  passing  good  cheer,  and  shordy  when  he 
had  supped  his  bed  was  made  there  ;  so  he  rested  him  all 
night. 

And  on  the  morn  he  heard  mass,  and  brake  his  fast 
and  took  his  leave  at  the  duchess,  and  at  them  all  ;  and 
thanked  her  goodly  of  her  lodging,  and  of  his  good  cheer. 
So  Sir  Gareth  departed  and  rode  up  into  a  mountain,  and 
there  he  found  a  goodly  knight  that  bade  him,  Abide  sir 
knight,  and  joust  with  me.  What  are  ye  ?  said  Sir  Gareth. 
My  name  is,  said  he,  the  Duke  de  la  Rowse.  Ah  sir,  ye 
are  the  same  knight  that  I  lodged  in  your  casde  ;  and  there 
I  made  promise  unto  your  lady  that  I  should  yield  me  unto 
you.  Make  thee  ready,  said  the  duke,  for  I  will  have  ado 
with  you.  So  they  let  their  horses  run,  and  there  Sir  Gareth 
smote  the  duke  down  from  his  horse.  But  the  duke  lighdy 
avoided  his  horse,  and  dressed  his  shield  and  drew  his  sword, 
and  bade  Sir  Gareth  alight  and  fight  with  him.  So  he  did 
alight,  and  they  did  great  batde  together  more  than  an 
hour,  and  either  hurt  other  full  sore.  At  the  last  Sir  Gareth 
gat  the  duke  to  the  earth,  and  then  he  yield  him  to  him. 
Then  must  ye  go,  said  Sir  Gareth,  unto  Sir  Arthur  my  lord 
at  the  next  feast,  and  say  that  I,  Sir  Gareth  of  Orkney,  sent 
you  unto  him.  It  shall  be  done,  said  the  duke,  and  I  will 
do  to  you  homage  and  fealty  with  an  hundred  knights  with 
me  ;  and  all  the  days  of  my  life  to  do  you  service  where  ye 
will  command  me. 

So  the  duke  departed,  and  Sir  Gareth  stood  there  alone  ; 


ii2  OF  SIR  GARETH 

and  there  he  saw  an  armed  knight  coming  toward  him. 
Then  Sir  Gareth  took  the  duke's  shield,  and  mounted 
upon  horseback,  and  so  without  biding  they  ran  together 
as  it  had  been  the  thunder.  And  there  that  knight  hurt 
Sir  Gareth  under  the  side  with  his  spear.  And  then  they 
alighted  and  drew  their  swords,  and  gave  great  strokes  that 
the  blood  trailed  to  the  ground.  And  so  they  fought  two 
hours. 

At  the  last  there  came  the  damosel  Linet,  that  some 
men  called  the  damosel  Savage,  riding  upon  an  ambling 
mule  ;  and  there  she  cried  all  on  high,  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir 
Gawaine,  leave  thy  fighting  with  thy  brother  Sir  Gareth. 
And  when  he  heard  her  say  so  he  threw  away  his  shield  and 
his  sword,  and  ran  to  Sir  Gareth,  and  took  him  in  his  arms, 
and  sithen  kneeled  down  and  asked  him  mercy.  What 
are  ye,  said  Sir  Gareth,  that  right  now  were  so  strong  and 
so  mighty,  and  now  so  suddenly  yield  you  to  me  ?  O 
Gareth,  I  am  your  brother  Sir  Gawaine,  that  for  your  sake 
have  had  great  sorrow  and  labour.  Then  Sir  Gareth  un- 
laced his  helm,  and  kneeled  down  to  him,  and  asked  him 
mercy.  Then  they  rose  both,  and  embraced  either  other 
in  their  arms,  and  wept  a  great  while  ere  they  might  speak, 
and  either  of  them  gave  other  the  prize  of  the  batde.  And 
there  were  many  kind  words  between  them.  Alas,  my 
fair  brother,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  perdy  I  owe  of  right  to 
worship  you  an  ye  were  not  my  brother,  for  ye  have  wor- 
shipped King  Arthur  and  all  his  court,  for  ye  have  sent  him 
more  worshipful  knights  this  twelvemonth  than  six  the  best 
of  the  Round  Table  have  done,  except  Sir  Launcelot. 

Then  came  the  damosel  Savage  that  was  the  Lady  Linet, 
that  rode  with  Sir  Gareth  so  long,  and  there  she  did  staunch 
Sir  Gareth's  wounds  and  Sir  Gawaine's.     Now  what  will 


OF  THE  WEDDING  OF  SIR  GARETH      113 

ye  do  ?  said  the  damosel  Savage  ;  meseemeth  that  it  were 
well  done  that  Arthur  had  witting  of  you  both,  for  your 
horses  are  so  brised  that  they  may  not  bear.  Now,  fair 
damosel,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  pray  you  ride  unto  my  lord 
mine  uncle,  King  Arthur,  and  tell  him  what  adventure  is 
to  me  betid  here,  and  I  suppose  he  will  not  tarry  long. 
Then  she  took  her  mule,  and  lightly  she  came  to  King 
Arthur  that  was  but  two  mile  thence.  And  when  she  had 
told  him  tidings  the  king  bade  get  him  a  palfrey.  And 
when  he  was  upon  his  back  he  bade  the  lords  and  ladies  come 
after,  who  that  would  ;  and  there  was  saddling  and  bridling 
of  queens'  horses  and  princes'  horses,  and  well  was  him  that 
soonest  might  be  ready. 

So  when  the  king  came  thereas  they  were,  he  saw  Sir 
Gawaine  and  Sir  Gareth  sit  upon  a  little  hill-side,  and  then 
the  king  avoided  his  horse.  Wit  ye  well  the  king  made 
great  joy,  and  many  a  piteous  complaint  he  made  to  Sir 
Gareth,  and  ever  he  wept  as  he  had  been  a  child.  With 
that  came  his  mother,  the  Queen  of  Orkney,  Dame  Mor- 
gawse,  and  when  she  saw  Sir  Gareth  readily  in  the  visage 
she  might  not  weep,  but  suddenly  fell  down  in  a  swoon, 
and  lay  there  a  great  while  like  as  she  had  been  dead.  And 
then  Sir  Gareth  recomforted  his  mother  in  such  wise  that 
she  recovered  and  made  good  cheer. 

OF  THE  WEDDING  OF  SIR  GARETH  AND 
DAME  LIONESSE  AND  OF  THE  OFFICERS 
MADE  AT  THE  FEAST.  Then  said  King  Arthur 
unto  the  damosel  Savage  :  I  marvel  that  your  sister,  Dame 
Lionesse,  cometh  not  to  visit  her  knight,  my  nephew  Sir 
Gareth,  that  hath  had  so  much  travail  for  her  love.  My 
lord,  said  the  damosel  Linet,  ye  must  of  your  good  grace 


ii4  OF  SIR  GARETH 

hold  her  excused,  for  she  knoweth  not  that  my  lord,  Sir 
Gareth,  is  here.  Go  then  for  her,  said  King  Arthur,  that 
we  may  be  appointed  what  is  best  to  be  done,  according  to 
the  pleasure  of  my  nephew.  Sir,  said  the  damosel,  that  shall 
be  done,  and  so  she  rode  unto  her  sister.  And  as  lightly  as 
she  might  she  made  her  ready  ;  and  she  came  on  the  morn 
with  her  brother  Sir  Gringamore,  and  with  her  forty  knights. 
And  so  when  she  was  come  she  had  all  the  cheer  that  might  be 
done,  both  of  the  king,  and  of  many  other  kings  and  queens. 

And  among  all  these  ladies  she  was  named  the  fairest, 
and  peerless.  Then  the  king  asked  his  nephew,  Sir  Gareth, 
whether  he  would  have  that  lady  to  his  wife.  My  lord,  wit 
you  well  that  I  love  her  above  all  ladies  living.  Now,  fair 
lady,  said  King  Arthur,  what  say  ye  ?  Most  noble  King,  said 
Dame  Lionesse,  wit  you  well  that  my  lord,  Sir  Gareth,  is  to 
me  more  liefer  to  have  and  wield  as  my  husband,  than  any 
king  or  prince  that  is  christened  ;  and  if  I  may  not  have  him 
I  promise  you  I  will  never  have  none.  For,  my  lord  Arthur, 
said  Dame  Lionesse,  wit  ye  well  he  is  my  first  love,  and  he 
shall  be  the  last ;  and  if  ye  will  suffer  him  to  have  his  will  and 
free  choice  I  dare  say  he  will  have  me.  That  is  truth,  said 
Sir  Gareth  ;  an  I  have  not  you  and  wield  not  you  as  my  wife, 
there  shall  never  lady  nor  gentlewoman  rejoice  me.  What, 
nephew,  said  the  king,  is  the  wind  in  that  door  ?  for  wit  ye 
well  I  would  not  for  the  stint  of  my  crown  to  be  causer  to 
withdraw  your  hearts  ;  and  wit  ye  well  ye  cannot  love  so 
well  but  I  shall  rather  increase  it  than  distress  it.  And  also 
ye  shall  have  my  love  and  my  lordship  in  the  uttermost 
wise  that  may  lie  in  my  power.  And  in  the  same  wise  said 
Sir  Gareth's  mother. 

Then  there  was  made  a  provision  for  the  day  of  marriage  ; 
and   by  the  king's  advice  it  was  provided  that  it  should  be 


OF  THE  WEDDING  OF  SIR  GARETH      115 

at  Michaelmas  following,  at  Kink  Kenadon  by  the  seaside, 
for  there  is  a  plentiful  country.  And  so  it  was  cried  in  all 
the  places  through  the  realm.  And  then  Sir  Gareth  sent 
his  summons  to  all  these  knights  and  ladies  that  he  had  won 
in  battle  to-fore,  that  they  should  be  at  his  day  of  marriage 
at  Kink  Kenadon  by  the  sands.  And  then  Dame  Lionesse, 
and  the  damosel  Linet  with  Sir  Gringamore,  rode  to  their 
castle  ;  and  a  goodly  and  a  rich  ring  she  gave  to  Sir  Gareth, 
and  he  gave  her  another.  And  King  Arthur  gave  her  a 
rich  pair  of  beads  of  gold  ;  and  so  she  departed  ;  and  King 
Arthur  and  his  fellowship  rode  toward  Kink  Kenadon,  and 
Sir  Gareth  brought  his  lady  on  the  way,  and  so  came  to  the 
king  again  and  rode  with  him.  Lord  !  the  great  cheer  that 
Sir  Launcelot  made  of  Sir  Gareth  and  he  of  him,  for  there 
was  never  no  knight  that  Sir  Gareth  loved  so  well  as  he  did 
Sir  Launcelot  ;  and  ever  for  the  most  part  he  would  be  in 
Sir  Launcelot's  company  ;  for  after  Sir  Gareth  had  espied 
Sir  Gawaine's  conditions,  he  withdrew  himself  from  his 
brother,  Sir  Gawaine's,  fellowship,  for  he  was  vengeable, 
and  where  he  hated  he  would  be  avenged  with  murder,  and 
that  hated  Sir  Gareth. 

So  it  drew  fast  to  Michaelmas  ;  and  thither  came  Dame 
Lionesse,  the  lady  of  the  Castle  Perilous,  and  her  sister, 
Dame  Linet,  with  Sir  Gringamore,  her  brother,  with  them, 
for  he  had  the  conduct  of  these  ladies.  And  there  they 
were  lodged  at  the  device  of  King  Arthur.  And  upon 
Michaelmas  Day  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury  made  the  wed- 
ding betwixt  Sir  Gareth  and  the  Lady  Lionesse  with  great 
solemnity.  And  King  Arthur  made  Gaheris  to  wed  the 
Damosel  Savage,  that  was  Dame  Linet  ;  and  King  Arthur 
made  Sir  Agravaine  to  wed  Dame  Lionesse's  niece,  a  fair 
lady,  her  name  was  Dame  Laurel. 


u6  OF  SIR  GARETH 

And  so  when  this  solemnization  was  done,  then  came 
in  the  Green  Knight,  Sir  Pertolepe,  with  thirty  knights, 
and  there  he  did  homage  and  fealty  to  Sir  Gareth,  and 
these  knights  to  hold  of  him  for  evermore.  Also  Sir  Perto- 
lepe said  :  I  pray  you  that  at  this  feast  I  may  be  your 
chamberlain.  With  a  good  will,  said  Sir  Gareth,  sith  it 
liketh  you  to  take  so  simple  an  office.  Then  came  in  the 
Red  Knight,  with  three  score  knights  with  him,  and  did  to 
Sir  Gareth  homage  and  fealty,  and  all  those  knights  to  hold 
of  him  for  evermore.  And  then  this  Sir  Perimones  prayed 
Sir  Gareth  to  grant  him  to  be  his  chief  butler  at  that  high 
feast.  I  will  well,  said  Sir  Gareth,  that  ye  have  this  office, 
and  it  were  better.  Then  came  in  Sir  Persant  of  Inde,  with 
an  hundred  knights  with  him,  and  there  he  did  homage 
and  fealty,  and  all  his  knights  should  do  him  service,  and 
hold  their  lands  of  him  for  ever  ;  and  there  he  prayed  Sir 
Gareth  to  make  him  his  sewer-chief  at  the  feast.  I  will 
well,  said  Sir  Gareth,  that  ye  have  it,  and  it  were  better. 
Then  came  the  Duke  de  la  Rowse,  with  an  hundred  knights 
with  him,  and  there  he  did  homage  and  fealty  to  Sir  Gareth, 
and  so  to  hold  their  lands  of  him  for  ever.  And  he  required 
Sir  Gareth  that  he  might  serve  him  of  the  wine  that  day  of 
that  feast.  I  will  well,  said  Sir  Gareth,  and  it  were  better. 
Then  came  in  the  Red  Knight  of  the  Red  Launds,  that 
was  Sir  Ironside,  and  he  brought  with  him  five  hundred 
knights,  and  there  he  did  homage  and  fealty,  and  all  these 
knights  to  hold  their  lands  of  him  for  ever.  And  then  he 
asked  Sir  Gareth  to  be  his  carver.  I  will  well,  said  Sir 
Gareth,  an  it  please  you. 

So  then  the  kings  and  queens,  princes  and  earls,  barons 
and  many  bold  knights,  went  unto  meat ;  and  well  may  ye 
wit  there  were  all  manner  of  meat  plenteously,  all  manner 


OF  THE  JOUSTS  AT  THE  FEAST  117 

revels  and  games,  with  all  manner  of  minstrelsy  that  was 
used  in  those  days.  Also  there  was  great  jousts  three  days. 
But  the  king  would  not  suffer  Sir  Gareth  to  joust,  because 
of  his  new  bride  ;  for,  as  the  French  book  saith,  that  Dame 
Lionesse  desired  of  the  king  that  none  that  were  wedded 
should  joust  at  that  feast. 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 


HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  DE  LIONES 
WAS  BORN,  AND  HOW  HIS 
MOTHER  DIED  AT  HIS  BIRTH, 
WHEREFORE  SHE  NAMED  HIM 
TRISTRAM,  AND  HOW  HIS 
STEPMOTHER  WOULD  HAVE 
POISONED  HIM  AND  HOW  HE 
WAS  SENT  INTO  FRANCE.  It  was 
a  king  that  hight  Meliodas,  and  he  was 
lord  and  king  of  the  country  of  Liones, 
and  this  Meliodas  was  a  likely  knight  as  any  was  that  time 
living.  And  by  fortune  he  wedded  King  Mark's  sister  of 
Cornwall,  and  she  was  called  Elizabeth,  that  was  called  both 
good  and  fair. 

So  the  time  came  when  she  should  bear  a  child,  and  she 
was  a  full  meek  lady,  and  well  she  loved  her  lord,  and  he 
her  again,  so  there  was  great  joy  betwixt  them.  Then  there 
was  a  lady  in  that  country  that  had  loved  King  Meliodas 
long,  and  by  no  mean  she  never  could  get  his  love  ;  there- 
fore she  let  ordain  upon  a  day,  as  King  Meliodas  rode 
a-hunting,  for  he  was  a  great  chaser,  and  there  by  an  en- 
chantment she  made  him  chase  an  hart  by  himself  alone 
till  that  he  came  to  an  old  castle,  and  there  anon  he  was 

118 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  119 

taken  prisoner  by  the  lady  that  him  loved.  When  Eliza- 
beth, King  Meliodas'  wife,  missed  her  lord,  she  was  nigh 
out  of  her  wit,  and  she  took  a  gentlewoman  with  her,  and 
ran  into  the  forest  to  seek  her  lord.  And  when  she  was  far 
in  the  forest  she  might  no  farther,  for  she  began  to  travail 
fast  of  her  child  ;  and  so  by  miracle  of  Our  Lady  of  Heaven 
she  was  delivered  with  great  pains.  But  she  had  taken  such 
cold  for  the  default  of  help  that  deep  draughts  of  death 
took  her,  that  needs  she  must  die  and  depart  out  of  this 
world  ;  there  was  none  other  bote. 

And  when  this  Queen  Elizabeth  saw  that  there  was  none 
other  bote,  then  she  made  great  dole,  and  said  unto  her 
gentlewoman  :  When  ye  see  my  lord,  King  Meliodas, 
recommend  me  unto  him,  and  tell  him  what  pains  I  endure 
here  for  his  love,  and  how  I  must  die  here  for  his  sake  for 
default  of  good  help  ;  and  let  him  wit  that  I  am  full  sorry 
to  depart  out  of  this  world  from  him,  therefore  pray  him 
to  be  friend  to  my  soul.  Now  let  me  see  my  little  child, 
for  whom  I  have  had  all  this  sorrow.  And  when  she  saw 
him  she  said  thus  :  Ah,  my  little  son,  thou  hast  murdered 
thy  mother,  and  therefore  I  suppose,  thou  that  art  a  mur- 
derer so  young,  thou  art  full  likely  to  be  a  manly  man  in 
thine  age.  And  because  I  shall  die  of  the  birth  of  thee,  I 
charge  thee,  gentlewoman,  that  thou  pray  my  lord,  King 
Meliodas,  that  when  he  is  christened  let  call  him  Tristram, 
that  is  as  much  to  say  as  a  sorrowful  birth.  And  therewith 
this  queen  gave  up  the  ghost  and  died.  Then  the  gende- 
woman  laid  her  under  an  umbre  of  a  great  tree,  and  then 
she  lapped  the  child  as  well  as  she  might  for  cold.  Right 
so  there  came  the  barons,  following  after  the  queen,  and 
when  they  saw  that  she  was  dead,  then  they  let  carry  home 
the  dead  queen,  and  much  dole  was  made  for  her. 


120  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Then  this  meanwhile  Merlin  delivered  King  Meliodas 
out  of  prison  on  the  morn  after  his  queen  was  dead.  But 
the  sorrow  that  the  king  made  for  his  queen  that  might  no 
tongue  tell.  So  then  the  king  let  inter  her  richly,  and  after 
he  let  christen  his  child  as  his  wife  had  commanded  afore 
her  death.  And  then  he  let  call  him  Tristram,  the  sorrowful 
born  child.  Then  the  King  Meliodas  endured  seven  years 
without  a  wife,  and  all  this  time  Tristram  was  nourished  well. 
Then  it  befell  that  King  Meliodas  wedded  King  Howell's 
daughter  of  Brittany,  and  anon  she  had  children  of  King 
Meliodas  :  then  was  she  heavy  and  wroth  that  her  children 
should  not  rejoice  the  country  of  Liones,  wherefore  this 
queen  ordained  for  to  poison  young  Tristram.  So  she  let 
poison  be  put  in  a  piece  of  silver  in  the  chamber  whereas 
Tristram  and  her  children  were  together,  unto  that  intent 
that  when  Tristram  were  thirsty  he  should  drink  that  drink. 
And  so  it  fell  upon  a  day,  the  queen's  son,  as  he  was  in  that 
chamber,  espied  the  piece  with  poison,  and  he  weened  it 
had  been  good  drink,  and  because  the  child  was  thirsty  he 
took  the  piece  with  poison  and  drank  freely  ;  and  there- 
withal suddenly  the  child  brast  and  was  dead. 

When  the  queen  of  Meliodas  wist  of  the  death  of  her 
son,  wit  ye  well  that  she  was  heavy.  But  yet  the  king 
understood  nothing  of  her  treason.  Notwithstanding  the 
queen  would  not  leave  this,  but  eft  she  let  ordain  more 
poison,  and  put  it  in  a  piece.  And  by  fortune  King  Melio- 
das, her  husband,  found  the  piece  with  wine  where  was 
the  poison,  and  he  that  was  much  thirsty  took  the  piece  for 
to  drink  thereout.  And  as  he  would  have  drunken  thereof 
the  queen  espied  him,  and  then  she  ran  unto  him,  and 
pulled  the  piece  from  him  suddenly.  The  king  marvelled 
why  she  did  so,  and  remembered  him  how  her  son  was 


OF  THE  STEPMOTHER  OF  TRISTRAM    121 

suddenly  slain  with  poison.  And  then  he  took  her  by  the 
hand,  and  said  :  Thou  false  traitress,  thou  shalt  tell  me 
what  manner  of  drink  this  is,  or  else  I  shall  slay  thee.  And 
therewith  he  pulled  out  his  sword,  and  sware  a  great  oath 
that  he  should  slay  her  but  if  she  told  him  truth.  Ah  ! 
mercy,  my  lord,  said  she,  and  I  shall  tell  you  all.  And  then 
she  told  him  why  she  would  have  slain  Tristram,  because 
her  children  should  rejoice  his  land.  Well,  said  King 
Meliodas,  and  therefore  shall  ye  have  the  law.  And  so  she 
was  condemned  by  the  assent  of  the  barons  to  be  burnt  ; 
and  then  was  there  made  a  great  fire,  and  right  as  she  was 
at  the  fire  to  take  her  execution,  young  Tristram  kneeled 
afore  King  Meliodas,  and  besought  him  to  give  him  a 
boon.  I  will  well,  said  the  king  again.  Then  said  young 
Tristram,  Give  me  the  life  of  thy  queen,  my  stepmother. 
That  is  unrightfully  asked,  said  King  Meliodas,  for  thou 
ought  of  right  to  hate  her,  for  she  would  have  slain  thee 
with  that  poison  an  she  might  have  had  her  will  ;  and  for 
thy  sake  most  is  my  cause  that  she  should  die. 

Sir,  said  Tristram,  as  for  that,  I  beseech  you  of  your 
mercy  that  you  will  forgive  it  her,  and  as  for  my  part,  God 
forgive  it  her,  and  I  do  ;  and  so  much  it  liked  your  highness 
to  grant  me  my  boon,  for  God's  love  I  require  you  hold 
your  promise.  Sithen  it  is  so,  said  the  king,  I  will  that  ye 
have  her  life.  Then,  said  the  king,  I  give  her  to  you,  and 
go  ye  to  the  fire  and  take  her,  and  do  with  her  what  ye  will. 
So  Sir  Tristram  went  to  the  fire,  and  by  the  commandment  of 
the  king  delivered  her  from  the  death.  But  after  that  King 
Meliodas  would  not  suffer  young  Tristram  to  abide  no  longer 
in  his  court. 

And  then  he  let  ordain  a  gentleman  that  was  well  learned 
and  taught,  his  name  was  Gouvernail  ;    and  then  he  sent 

K 


122  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

young  Tristram  with  Gouvernail  into  France  to  learn  the 
language,  and  nurture,  and  deeds  of  arms.  And  there 
was  Tristram  more  than  seven  years.  And  then  when  he 
well  could  speak  the  language,  and  had  learned  all  that  he 
might  learn  in  that  country,  then  he  came  home  to  his 
father,  King  Meliodas,  again.  And  so  Tristram  learned 
to  be  an  harper  passing  all  other,  that  there  was  none  such 
called  in  no  country,  and  so  on  harping  and  in  instru- 
ments of  music  he  applied  him  in  his  youth  for  to  learn. 

And  after,  as  he  grew  in  might  and  strength,  he  laboured 
ever  in  hunting  and  in  hawking,  so  that  never  gentleman 
more,  that  ever  we  heard  read  of.  And  as  the  book  saith, 
he  began  good  measures  of  blowing  of  beasts  of  venery,  and 
beasts  of  chase,  and  all  manner  of  vermin,  and  all  these 
terms  we  have  yet  of  hawking  and  hunting.  And  therefore 
the  book  of  venery,  of  hawking,  and  hunting,  is  called  the 
book  of  Sir  Tristram.  Wherefore,  as  meseemeth,  all  gende- 
men  that  bear  old  arms  ought  of  right  to  honour  Sir  Tristram 
for  the  goodly  terms  that  gentlemen  have  and  use,  and 
shall  to  the  day  of  doom,  that  thereby  in  a  manner  all  men 
of  worship  may  dissever  a  gentleman  from  a  yeoman,  and 
from  a  yeoman  a  villain.  For  he  that  gende  is  will  draw 
him  unto  gentle  tatches,  and  to  follow  the  customs  of  noble 
gentlemen. 

Thus  Sir  Tristram  endured  in  Cornwall  until  he  was 
big  and  strong,  of  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  And  then 
the  King  Meliodas  had  great  joy  of  Sir  Tristram,  and  so 
had  the  queen,  his  wife.  For  ever  after  in  her  life,  because 
Sir  Tristram  saved  her  from  the  fire,  she  did  never  hate  him 
more  after,  but  loved  him  ever  after,  and  gave  Tristram 
many  great  gifts  ;  for  every  estate  loved  him,  where  that 
he  went. 


HOW  SIR  MARHAUS  ASKED  TRUAGE     123 

HOW  SIR  MARHAUS  CAME  OUT  OF 
IRELAND  FOR  TO  ASK  TRUAGE  OF 
CORNWALL,  AND  HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM 
ENTERPRIZED  TO  FIGHT  WITH  HIM.  Then  it 
befell  that  King  Anguish  of  Ireland  sent  unto  King  Mark 
of  Cornwall  for  his  truage,  that  Cornwall  had  paid  many 
winters.  And  all  that  time  King  Mark  was  behind  of 
the  truage  for  seven  years.  And  King  Mark  and  his 
barons  gave  unto  the  messenger  of  Ireland  these  words 
and  answer,  that  they  would  none  pay ;  and  bade  the 
messenger  go  unto  his  King  Anguish,  and  tell  him  we  will 
pay  him  no  truage,  but  tell  your  lord,  an  he  will  always 
have  truage  of  us  of  Cornwall,  bid  him  send  a  trusty  knight 
of  his  land,  that  will  fight  for  his  right,  and  we  shall  find 
another  for  to  defend  our  right.  With  this  answer  the 
messengers  departed  into  Ireland.  And  when  King  Anguish 
understood  the  answer  of  the  messengers  he  was  wonderly 
wroth.  And  then  he  called  unto  him  Sir  Marhaus,  the 
good  knight,  that  was  nobly  proved,  and  a  Knight  of  the 
Table  Round.  And  this  Marhaus  was  brother  unto  the 
queen  of  Ireland.  Then  the  king  said  thus  :  Fair  brother, 
Sir  Marhaus,  I  pray  you  go  into  Cornwall  for  my  sake,  and 
do  battle  for  our  truage  that  of  right  we  ought  to  have  ; 
and  whatsomever  ye  spend  ye  shall  have  sufficiendy,  more 
than  ye  shall  need.  Sir,  said  Marhaus,  wit  ye  well  that  I 
shall  not  be  loath  to  do  batde  in  the  right  of  you  and  your 
land  with  the  best  knight  of  the  Table  Round  ;  for  I  know 
them,  for  the  most  part,  what  be  their  deeds  ;  and  for  to 
advance  my  deeds  and  to  increase  my  worship  I  will  right 
gladly  go  unto  this  journey  for  our  right. 

So  in  all  haste  there  was  made  purveyance  for  Sir  Mar- 
haus, and  he  had  all  things  that  to  him  needed  ;    and  so  he 


i24  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

departed  out  of  Ireland,  and  arrived  up  in  Cornwall  even 
fast  by  the  Castle  of  Tintagil.  And  when  King  Mark 
understood  that  he  was  there  arrived  to  fight  for  Ireland, 
then  made  King  Mark  great  sorrow  when  he  understood 
that  the  good  and  noble  knight  Sir  Marhaus  was  come. 
For  they  knew  no  knight  that  durst  have  ado  with  him. 
For  at  that  time  Sir  Marhaus  was  called  one  of  the  famousest 
and  renowned  knights  of  the  world.  And  thus  Sir  Marhaus 
abode  in  the  sea,  and  every  day  he  sent  unto  King  Mark 
for  to  pay  the  truage  that  was  behind  of  seven  year,  other 
else  to  find  a  knight  to  fight  with  him  for  the  truage.  This 
manner  of  message  Sir  Marhaus  sent  daily  unto  King  Mark. 

When  young  Tristram  heard  of  this  he  was  wroth,  and 
sore  ashamed  that  there  durst  no  knight  in  Cornwall  have 
ado  with  Sir  Marhaus  of  Ireland.  As  for  that,  said  King 
Meliodas,  wit  you  well,  son  Tristram,  that  Sir  Marhaus  is 
called  one  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world,  and  Knight  of 
the  Table  Round  ;  and  therefore  I  know  no  knight  in  this 
country  that  is  able  to  match  with  him.  Alas,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  that  I  am  not  made  knight  ;  and  if  Sir  Marhaus 
should  thus  depart  into  Ireland,  God  let  me  never  have 
worship  :  an  I  were  made  knight  I  should  match  him.  And 
sir,  said  Tristram,  I  pray  you  give  me  leave  to  ride  to  King 
Mark  ;  and,  so  ye  be  not  displeased,  of  King  Mark  will  I 
be  made  knight.  I  will  well,  said  King  Meliodas,  that  ye 
be  ruled  as  your  courage  will  rule  you.  Then  Sir  Tristram 
thanked  his  father  much.  And  then  he  made  him  ready 
to  ride  into  Cornwall. 

In  the  meanwhile  there  came  a  messenger  with  letters 
of  love  from  King  Faramon  of  France's  daughter  unto  Sir 
Tristram,  that  were  full  piteous  letters,  and  in  them  were 
written  many  complaints  of  love  ;   but  Sir  Tristram  had  no 


HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  WAS  MADE  KNIGHT    125 

joy  of  her  letters  nor  regard  unto  her.  Also  she  sent  him 
a  little  brachet  that  was  passing  fair.  But  when  the  king's 
daughter  understood  that  Sir  Tristram  would  not  love  her, 
as  the  book  saith,  she  died  for  sorrow.  And  then  the  same 
squire  that  brought  the  letter  and  the  brachet  came  again 
unto  Sir  Tristram,  as  after  ye  shall  hear  in  the  tale. 

So  this  young  Sir  Tristram  rode  unto  his  erne,  King 
Mark  of  Cornwall,  and  said  :  Sir,  if  ye  will  give  me  the  order 
of  knighthood,  I  will  do  batde  with  Sir  Marhaus.  What  are 
ye,  said  the  king,  and  from  whence  be  ye  come  ?  Sir,  said 
Tristram,  I  come  from  King  Meliodas  that  wedded  your 
sister,  and  a  gendeman  wit  ye  well  I  am.  King  Mark  beheld 
Sir  Tristram  and  saw  that  he  was  but  a  young  man  of  age, 
but  he  was  passingly  well  made  and  big.  Fair  sir,  said  the 
king,  what  is  your  name,  and  where  were  ye  born  ?  Sir,  said 
he  again,  my  name  is  Tristram,  and  in  the  country  of  Liones 
was  I  born.  Ye  say  well,  said  the  king  ;  and  if  ye  will  do 
this  batde  I  shall  make  you  knight.  Therefore  I  come  to 
you,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  for  none  other  cause.  But 
then  King  Mark  made  him  knight.  And  therewithal,  anon 
as  he  had  made  him  knight,  he  sent  a  messenger  unto  Sir 
Marhaus  with  letters  that  said  that  he  had  found  a  young 
knight  ready  for  to  take  the  batde  to  the  uttermost.  It 
may  well  be,  said  Sir  Marhaus  ;  but  tell  King  Mark  I  will 
not  fight  with  no  knight  but  he  be  of  blood  royal,  that  is 
to  say,  other  king's  son,  other  queen's  son,  born  of  a  prince 
or  princess. 

When  King  Mark  understood  that,  he  sent  for  Sir 
Tristram  de  Liones  and  told  him  what  was  the  answer  of 
Sir  Marhaus.  Then  said  Sir  Tristram  :  Sithen  that  he 
saith  so,  let  him  wit  that  I  am  come  of  father  side  and 
mother  side  of  as  noble  blood  as  he  is :  for,  sir,  now  shall 


126  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

ye  know  that  I  am  King  Meliodas'  son,  born  of  your  own 
sister,  Dame  Elizabeth,  that  died  in  the  forest  in  the  birth 
of  me.  Fair  nephew,  said  King  Mark,  ye  are  welcome  to 
me.  Then  in  all  the  haste  the  king  let  horse  Sir  Tristram, 
and  armed  him  in  the  best  manner  that  might  be  had  or 
gotten  for  gold  or  silver.  And  then  King  Mark  sent  unto 
Sir  Marhaus,  and  did  him  to  wit  that  a  better  born  man 
than  he  was  himself  should  fight  with  him,  and  his  name 
is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  gotten  of  King  Meliodas,  and 
born  of  King  Mark's  sister.  Then  was  Sir  Marhaus  glad 
and  blithe  that  he  should  fight  with  such  a  gentleman. 
And  so  by  the  assent  of  King  Mark  and  of  Sir  Marhaus 
they  let  ordain  .that  they  should  fight  within  an  island  nigh 
Sir  Marhaus'  ships  ;  and  so  was  Sir  Tristram  put  into  a 
vessel,  both  his  horse  and  he,  and  all  that  to  him  longed  both 
for  his  body  and  for  his  horse.  And  when  King  Mark 
and  his  barons  of  Cornwall  beheld  how  young  Sir  Tristram 
departed  with  such  a  carriage  to  fight  for  the  right  of  Corn- 
wall, there  was  neither  man  nor  woman  of  worship  but  they 
wept  to  see  and  understand  so  young  a  knight  to  jeopardy 
himself  for  their  right. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  FOUGHT 
AGAINST  SIR  MARHAUS  AND 
ACHIEVED  HIS  BATTLE,  AND 
HOW  SIR  MARHAUS  FLED  TO 
HIS  SHIP.  So  when  Sir  Tristram  was 
arrived  within  the  island  he  looked  to 
the  farther  side,  and  there  he  saw  at  an  anchor  six  ships 
nigh  to  the  land  ;  and  under  the  shadow  of  the  ships  upon 
the  land,  there  hoved  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Marhaus  of 
Ireland.     Then  Sir  Tristram  commanded  his  servant  Gouver- 


HOW  HE  MEETS  WITH  SIR  MARHAUS     127 

nail  to  bring  his  horse  to  the  land,  and  dress  his  harness  at 
all  manner  of  rights.  And  then  when  he  had  so  done  he 
mounted  upon  his  horse  ;  and  when  he  was  in  his  saddle 
well  apparelled,  and  his  shield  dressed  upon  his  shoulder, 
Tristram  asked  Gouvernail,  Where  is  this  knight  that  I 
shall  have  ado  withal  ?  Sir,  said  Gouvernail,  see  ye  him 
not  ?  I  weened  ye  had  seen  him  ;  yonder  he  hoveth  under 
the  shadow  of  his  ships  on  horseback,  with  his  spear  in  his 
hand  and  his  shield  upon  his  shoulder.  That  is  truth,  said 
the  noble  knight,  Sir  Tristram,  now  I  see  him  well  enough. 

Then  he  commanded  his  servant  Gouvernail  to  go  to 
his  vessel  again  :  And  commend  me  unto  mine  erne  King 
Mark,  and  pray  him,  if  that  I  be  slain  in  this  battle,  for 
to  inter  my  body  as  him  seemeth  best  ;  and  as  for  me,  let 
him  wit  that  I  will  never  yield  me  for  cowardice  ;  and  if  I 
be  slain  and  flee  not,  then  they  have  lost  no  truage  for  me  ; 
and  if  so  be  that  I  flee  or  yield  me  as  recreant,  bid  mine 
erne  never  bury  me  in  Christian  burials.  And  upon  thy 
life,  said  Sir  Tristram  to  Gouvernail,  come  thou  not  nigh 
this  island  till  that  thou  see  me  overcome  or  slain,  or  else 
that  I  win  yonder  knight.  So  either  departed  from  other 
sore  weeping. 

And  then  Sir  Marhaus  avised  Sir  Tristram,  and  said 
thus  :  Young  knight,  Sir  Tristram,  what  dost  thou  here  ? 
me  sore  repenteth  of  thy  courage,  for  wit  thou  well  I  have 
matched  with  the  best  knights  of  the  world,  and  therefore 
by  my  counsel  return  again  unto  thy  vessel.  And  fair 
knight,  and  well-proved  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram,  thou 
shalt  well  wit  I  may  not  forsake  thee  in  this  quarrel,  for  I 
am  for  thy  sake  made  knight.  And  now  wit  thou  well, 
Sir  Marhaus,  that  I  cast  me  to  get  worship  on  thy  body  ; 
and  if  that  I  be  not  proved,  I  trust  to  God  that  I  shall  be 


128  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

worshipfully  proved  upon  thy  body,  and  to  deliver  the 
country  of  Cornwall  for  ever  from  all  manner  of  truage 
from  Ireland  for  ever. 

When  Sir  Marhaus  had  heard  him  say  what  he  would, 
he  said  then  thus  again  :  Fair  knight,  sithen  it  is  so  that 
thou  castest  to  win  worship  of  me,  I  let  thee  wit  worship 
may  thou  none  lose  by  me  if  thou  mayest  stand  me  three 
strokes  ;  for  I  let  thee  wit  for  my  noble  deeds,  proved  and 
seen,  King  Arthur  made  me  Knight  of  the  Table  Round. 

Then  they  began  to  feutre  their  spears,  and  they  met 
so  fiercely  together  that  they  smote  either  other  down, 
both  horse  and  all.  But  Sir  Marhaus  smote  Sir  Tristram 
a  great  wound  in  the  side  with  his  spear,  and  then  they 
avoided  their  horses,  and  pulled  out  their  swords,  and  threw 
their  shields  afore  them.  And  then  they  lashed  together 
as  men  that  were  wild  and  courageous.  Thus  they  fought 
still  more  than  half  a  day,  and  either  were  wounded  passing 
sore.  By  then  Sir  Tristram  waxed  more  fresher  than  Sir 
Marhaus,  and  better  winded  and  bigger  ;  and  with  a  mighty 
stroke  he  smote  Sir  Marhaus  upon  the  helm  such  a  buffet 
that  it  went  through  his  helm,  and  through  the  coif  of  steel, 
and  through  the  brain-pan,  and  the  sword  stuck  so  fast  in 
the  helm  and  in  his  brain-pan  that  Sir  Tristram  pulled 
thrice  at  his  sword  or  ever  he  might  pull  it  out  from  his 
head  ;  and  there  Marhaus  fell  down  on  his  knees,  the  edge 
of  Tristram's  sword  left  in  his  brain-pan.  And  suddenly 
Sir  Marhaus  rose  grovelling,  and  threw  his  sword  and  his 
shield  from  him,  and  so  ran  to  his  ships  and  fled  his  way, 
and  Sir  Tristram  had  ever  his  shield  and  his  sword. 

And  when  Sir  Tristram  saw  Sir  Marhaus  withdraw  him, 
he  said  :  Ah  !  Sir  Knight  of  the  Round  Table,  why  with- 
drawest  thou  thee  ?    thou  dost  thyself  and  thy  kin  great 


HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  WAS  HURT  129 

shame,  for  I  am  but  a  young  knight,  or  now  I  was  never 
proved,  and  rather  than  I  should  withdraw  me  from  thee, 
I  had  rather  be  hewn  in  an  hundred  pieces.  Sir  Marhaus 
answered  no  word,  but  went  his  way  sore  groaning,  and 
anon  he  and  his  fellowship  departed  into  Ireland.  And 
as  soon  as  he  came  to  the  king,  his  brother,  he  let  search 
his  wounds.  And  when  his  head  was  searched  a  piece  of 
Sir  Tristram's  sword  was  found  therein,  and  might  never 
be  had  out  of  his  head  for  no  surgeons,  and  so  he  died  of 
Sir  Tristram's  sword  ;  and  that  piece  of  the  sword  the  queen, 
his  sister,  kept  it  for  ever  with  her,  for  she  thought  to  be 
revenged  an  she  might. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  WENT  TO  IRELAND 
TO  BE  HEALED  OF  THE  POISON  OF  HIS 
WOUND  AND  THERE  WAS  PUT  TO  THE 
KEEPING  OF  LA  BEALE  ISOUD,  AND  HOW  HE 
WON  THE  DEGREE  AT  A  TOURNAMENT  AND 
MADE  SIR  PALAMIDES  BEAR  NO  HARNESS  OF 
WAR  FOR  A  YEAR.  Now  turn  we  again  unto  Sir  Tris- 
tram, that  was  sore  wounded.  Then  anon  came  Gouvernail, 
his  man,  with  his  vessel.  And  when  Sir  Tristram  was  come 
unto  the  land,  King  Mark  took  him  in  his  arms,  and  the  king 
and  Sir  Dinas,  the  seneschal,  led  him  into  the  castle  of 
Tintagil.  And  then  was  he  searched  in  the  best  manner,  and 
laid  in  his  bed.  And  when  King  Mark  saw  his  wounds  he 
wept  heartily,  and  so  did  all  his  lords.  So  God  me  help,  said 
King  Mark,  I  would  not  for  all  my  lands  that  my  nephew 
died.  So  Sir  Tristram  lay  there  a  month  and  more,  and  ever 
he  was  like  to  die  of  that  stroke  that  Sir  Marhaus  smote  him 
first  with  the  spear.  For,  as  the  French  book  saith,  the  spear's 
head  was  envenomed,  that  Sir  Tristram  might  not  be  whole. 


1 3o  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Then  came  there  a  lady  that  was  a  right  wise  lady,  and  she 
said  plainly  that  Sir  Tristram  should  never  be  whole  but  if 
he  went  in  the  same  country  that  the  venom  came  from,  and 
in  that  country  should  he  be  holpen  or  else  never. 

When  King  Mark  understood  that,  he  let  purvey  for 
Sir  Tristram  a  fair  vessel,  well  victualled,  and  therein  was 
put  Sir  Tristram,  and  Gouvernail  with  him,  and  Sir  Tristram 
took  his  harp  with  him,  and  so  he  was  put  into  the  sea  to 
sail  into  Ireland  ;  and  so  by  good  fortune  he  arrived  up 
in  Ireland,  even  fast  by  a  castle  where  the  king  and  the 
queen  was  ;  and  at  his  arrival  he  sat  and  harped  in  his  bed 
a  merry  lay,  such  one  heard  they  never  none  in  Ireland 
before  that  time. 

And  when  it  was  told  the  kirfg  and  the  queen  of  such 
a  knight  that  was  such  an  harper,  anon  the  king  sent  for 
him,  and  let  search  his  wounds,  and  then  asked  him  his 
name.  Then  he  answered,  I  am  of  the  country  of  Liones, 
and  my  name  is  Tramtrist,  that  thus  was  wounded  in  a 
batde  as  I  fought  for  a  lady's  right.  So  God  me  help,  said 
King  Anguish,  ye  shall  have  all  the  help  in  this  land  that 
ye  may  have  here  ;  but  I  let  you  wit,  in  Cornwall  I  had  a 
great  loss  as  ever  had  king,  for  there  I  lost  the  best  knight 
of  the  world  ;  his  name  was  Marhaus,  a  full  noble  knight, 
and  Knight  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and  there  he  told  Sir 
Tristram  wherefore  Sir  Marhaus  was  slain.  Sir  Tristram 
made  semblant  as  he  had  been  sorry,  and  better  knew  he 
how  it  was  than  the  king. 

Then  the  king  for  great  favour  made  Tramtrist  to  be 
put  in  his  daughter's  ward  and  keeping,  because  she  was  a 
noble  surgeon.  And  when  she  had  searched  him  she  found 
in  the  bottom  of  his  wound  that  therein  was  poison,  and  so 
she  healed  him  within  a  while  ;    and  therefore  Tramtrist 


OF  TRISTRAM  AND  LA  BEALE  ISOUD     131 

cast  great  love  to  La  Beale  Isoud,  for  she  was  at  that  time 
the  fairest  maid  and  lady  of  the  world.  And  there  Tramtrist 
learned  her  to  harp,  and  she  began  to  have  a  great  fantasy 
unto  him.  And  at  that  time  Sir  Palamides,  the  Saracen, 
was  in  that  country,  and  well  cherished  with  the  king  and 
the  queen.  And  every  day  Sir  Palamides  drew  unto  La 
Beale  Isoud  and  proffered  her  many  gifts,  for  he  loved  her 
passingly  well.  All  that  espied  Tramtrist,  and  full  well 
knew  he  Sir  Palamides  for  a  noble  knight  and  a  mighty 
man.  And  wit  you  well  Sir  Tramtrist  had  great  despite 
at  Sir  Palamides,  for  La  Beale  Isoud  told  Tramtrist  that 
Palamides  was  in  will  to  be  christened  for  her  sake.  Thus 
was  there  great  envy  betwixt  Tramtrist  and  Sir  Palamides. 
Then  it  befell  that  King  Anguish  let  cry  a  great  jousts 
and  a  great  tournament  for  a  lady  that  was  called  the  Lady 
of  the  Launds,  and  she  was  nigh  cousin  unto  the  king.  And 
what  man  won  her,  three  days  after  he  should  wed  her  and 
have  all  her  lands.  This  cry  was  made  in  England,  Wales, 
Scotland,  and  also  in  France  and  in  Brittany.  It  befell 
upon  a  day  La  Beale  Isoud  came  unto  Sir  Tramtrist,  and 
told  him  of  this  tournament.  He  answered  and  said  :  Fair 
lady,  I  am  but  a  feeble  knight,  and  but  late  I  had  been  dead 
had  not  your  good  ladyship  been.  Now,  fair  lady,  what 
would  ye  I  should  do  in  this  matter  ?  well  ye  wot,  my  lady, 
that  I  may  not  joust.  Ah,  Tramtrist,  said  La  Beale  Isoud, 
why  will  ye  not  have  ado  at  that  tournament  ?  well  I  wot 
Sir  Palamides  shall  be  there,  and  to  do  what  he  may  ;  and 
therefore  Tramtrist,  I  pray  you  for  to  be  there,  for  else  Sir 
Palamides  is  like  to  win  the  degree.  Madam,  said  Tram- 
trist, as  for  that,  it  may  be  so,  for  he  is  a  proved  knight,  and 
I  am  but  a  young  knight  and  late  made  ;  and  the  first  battle 
that  I  did  it  mishapped  me  to  be  sore  wounded  as  ye  see. 


132  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

But  an  I  wist  ye  would  be  my  better  lady,  at  that  tournament 
I  will  be,  so  that  ye  will  keep  my  counsel  and  let  no  creature 
have  knowledge  that  I  shall  joust  but  yourself,  and  such  as 
ye  will  to  keep  your  counsel.  My  poor  person  shall  I  jeopard 
there  for  your  sake,  that,  peradventure,  Sir  Palamides  shall 
know  when  that  I  come.  Thereto,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  do 
your  best,  and  as  I  can,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  I  shall  purvey 
horse  and  armour  for  you  at  my  device.  As  ye  will  so  be 
it,  said  Sir  Tramtrist,  I  will  be  at  your  commandment. 

So  at  the  day  of  jousts  there  came  Sir  Palamides  with 
a  black  shield,  and  he  overthrew  many  knights,  that  all 
the  people  had  marvel  of  him.  For  he  put  to  the  worse  Sir 
Gawaine,  Gaheris,  Agravaine,  Bagdemagus,  Kay,  Dodinas 
le  Savage,  Sagramore  le  Desirous,  Gumret  le  Petit,  and 
Griflet  le  Fise  de  Dieu.  All  these  the  first  day  Sir  Pala- 
mides struck  down  to  the  earth.  And  then  all  manner  of 
knights  were  adread  of  Sir  Palamides,  and  many  called  him 
the  Knight  with  the  Black  Shield.  So  that  day  Sir  Pala- 
mides had  great  worship. 

Then  came  there  the  same  squire  that  was  sent  from 
the  king's  daughter  of  France  unto  Sir  Tristram.  And 
when  he  had  espied  Sir  Tristram  he  fell  flat  to  his  feet.  All 
that  espied  La  Beale  Isoud,  what  courtesy  the  squire  made 
unto  Sir  Tristram.  And  therewithal  suddenly  Sir  Tristram 
ran  unto  his  squire,  whose  name  was  Hebes  le  Renoumes, 
and  prayed  him  heartily  in  no  wise  to  tell  his  name.  Sir, 
said  Hebes,  I  will  not  discover  your  name  but  if  ye  command 
me. 

And  on  the  morn  Sir  Palamides  made  him  ready  to  come 
into  the  field  as  he  did  the  first  day.  And  there  he  smote 
down  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  and  the  King 
of  Scots.     Then  had   La   Beale   Isoud  ordained   and  well 


SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  PALAMIDES 


'33 


arrayed  Sir  Tristram  in  white  horse  and  harness.  And 
right  so  she  let  put  him  out  at  a  privy  postern,  and  so  he  came 
into  the  field  as  it  had  been  a  bright  angel.  And  anon  Sir 
Palamides  espied  him,  and  therewith  he  feutred  a  spear 
unto  Sir  Tramtrist,  and  he  again  unto  him.  And  there  Sir 
Tristram  smote  down  Sir  Palamides  unto  the  earth.  And 
then  there  was  a  great  noise  of  people  :  and  wit  you  well 
La  Beale  Isoud  was  passing  glad. 

And  when  Sir  Palamides  had  received  this  fall,  he  was 
sore  ashamed,  and  as  privily  as  he  might  he  withdrew  him 
out  of  the  field.  All  that  espied  Sir  Tristram,  and  lighdy 
he  rode  after  Sir  Palamides  and  overtook  him,  and  bade  him 
turn,  for  better  he  would  assay  him  or  ever  he  departed. 
Then  Sir  Palamides  turned  him,  and  either  lashed  at  other 
with  their  swords.  But  at  the  first  stroke  Sir  Tristram  smote 
down  Palamides,  and  gave  him  such  a  stroke  upon  the 
head  that  he  fell  to  the  earth.  So  then  Tristram  bade  yield 
him,  and  do  his  commandment,  or  else  he  would  slay  him. 
When  Sir  Palamides  beheld  his  countenance,  he  dread  his 
buffets  so,  that  he  granted  all  his  askings.  Well  said,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  this  shall  be  your  charge.  First,  upon  pain  of 
your  life  that  ye  forsake  my  lady  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  in 
no  manner  wise  that  ye  draw  not  to  her.  Also  this  twelve- 
month and  a  day  that  ye  bear  none  armour  nor  none  harness 
of  war.  Now  promise  me  this,  or  here  shalt  thou  die.  Alas, 
said  Palamides,  for  ever  am  I  ashamed.  Then  he  sware 
as  Sir  Tristram  had  commanded  him.  Then  for  despite 
and  anger  Sir  Palamides  cut  off  his  harness,  and  threw 
them  away. 

And  so  Sir  Tristram  turned  again  to  the  casde  and  rode 
privily  unto  the  postern,  where  kept  him  La  Beale  Isoud, 
and  there  she  made  him  good  cheer,  and  thanked  God  of 


r34 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 


his  good  speed.  So  anon,  within  a  while,  the  king  and  the 
queen  understood  that  it  was  Tramtrist  that  smote  down  Sir 
Palamides  ;  then  was  he  much  made  of,  more  than  he  was 
before. 


HOW  THE  QUEEN  ESPIED  THAT 
SIR  TRISTRAM  HAD  SLAIN  HER 
BROTHER  SIR  MARHAUS  BY  HIS 
SWORD,  AND  IN  WHAT  JEOPARDY  HE 
WAS,  AND  HOW  THE  KING  SUFFERED 
HIM  TO  RETURN  TO  CORNWALL. 
Thus  was  Sir  Tramtrist  long  there  well  cherished  with  the 
king  and  the  queen,  and  namely  with  La  Beale  Isoud.  So 
upon  a  day  the  queen  and  La  Beale  Isoud  made  a  bath  for 
Sir  Tramtrist.  And  when  he  was  in  his  bath  the  queen 
and  Isoud,  her  daughter,  roamed  up  and  down  in  the 
chamber  ;  and  therewhiles  Gouvernail  and  Hebes  attended 
upon  Tramtrist,  and  the  queen  beheld  his  sword  thereas  it 
lay  upon  his  bed.  And  then  by  unhap  the  queen  drew  out 
his  sword  and  beheld  it  a  long  while,  and  both  they  thought 
it  a  passing  fair  sword  ;  but  within  a  foot  and  an  half  of 
the  point  there  was  a  great  piece  thereof  out-broken  of  the 
edge.  And  when  the  queen  espied  that  gap  in  the  sword, 
she  remembered  her  of  a  piece  of  a  sword  that  was  found 
in  the  brain-pan  of  Sir  Marhaus,  the  good  knight  that  was 
her  brother.  Alas  then,  said  she  unto  her  daughter,  La 
Beale  Isoud,  this  is  the  same  traitor  knight  that  slew  my 
brother,  thine  erne.  When  Isoud  heard  her  say  so  she 
was  passing  sore  abashed,  for  passing  well  she  loved  Tram- 
trist, and  full  well  she  knew  the  cruelness  of  her  mother 
the  queen. 

Anon  therewithal  the  queen  went  unto  her  own  chamber, 


SIR  TRISTRAM  IN  JEOPARDY  135 

and  sought  her  coffer,  and  there  she  took  out  the  piece  of 
the  sword  that  was  pulled  out  of  Sir  Marhaus'  head  after 
that  he  was  dead.  And  then  she  ran  with  that  piece  of 
iron  to  the  sword  that  lay  upon  the  bed.  And  when  she 
put  that  piece  of  steel  and  iron  unto  the  sword,  it  was  as 
meet  as  it  might  be  when  it  was  new  broken.  And  then 
the  queen  gripped  that  sword  in  her  hand  fiercely,  and  with 
all  her  might  she  ran  straight  upon  Tramtrist  where  he  sat 
in  his  bath,  and  there  she  had  rived  him  through  had  not 
Sir  Hebes  gotten  her  in  his  arms,  and  pulled  the  sword  from 
her,  and  else  she  had  thrust  him  through. 

Then  when  she  was  let  of  her  evil  will  she  ran  to  the 
King  Anguish,  her  husband,  and  said  on  her  knees  :  O  my 
lord,  here  have  ye  in  your  house  that  traitor  knight  that 
slew  my  brother  and  your  servant,  that  noble  knight,  Sir 
Marhaus.  Who  is  that,  said  King  Anguish,  and  where  is 
he  ?  Sir,  she  said,  it  is  Sir  Tramtrist,  the  same  knight  that 
my  daughter  healed.  Alas,  said  the  king,  therefore  am  I 
right  heavy,  for  he  is  a  full  noble  knight  as  ever  I  saw  in 
field.  But  I  charge  you,  said  the  king  to  the  queen,  that 
ye  have  not  ado  with  that  knight,  but  let  me  deal  with  him. 

Then  the  king  went  into  the  chamber  unto  Sir  Tram- 
trist, and  then  was  he  gone  unto  his  chamber,  and  the  king 
found  him  all  ready  armed  to  mount  upon  his  horse.  When 
the  king  saw  him  all  ready  armed  to  go  unto  horseback, 
the  king  said  :  Nay,  Tramtrist,  it  will  not  avail  to  compare 
thee  against  me  ;  but  thus  much  I  shall  do  for  my  worship 
and  for  thy  love  ;  in  so  much  as  thou  art  within  my  court 
it  were  no  worship  for  me  to  slay  thee  :  therefore  upon 
this  condition  I  will  give  thee  leave  for  to  depart  from  this 
court  in  safety,  so  thou  wilt  tell  me  who  was  thy  father,  and 
what  is  thy  name,  and  if  thou  slew  Sir  Marhaus,  my  brother. 


136  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Sir,  said  Tristram,  now  I  shall  tell  you  all  the  truth  :  my 
father's  name  is  Sir  Meliodas,  King  of  Liones,  and  my 
mother  hight  Elizabeth,  that  was  sister  unto  King  Mark 
of  Cornwall  ;  and  my  mother  died  of  me  in  the  forest,  and 
because  thereof  she  commanded,  or  she  died,  that  when  I 
were  christened  they  should  christen  me  Tristram  ;  and 
because  I  would  not  be  known  in  this  country  I  turned  my 
name  and  let  me  call  Tramtrist  ;  and  for  the  truage  of 
Cornwall  I  fought  for  my  erne's  sake,  and  for  the  right  of 
Cornwall  that  ye  had  posseded  many  years.  And  wit  ye 
well,  said  Tristram  unto  the  king,  I  did  the  battle  for  the 
love  of  mine  uncle,  King  Mark,  and  for  the  love  of  the 
country  of  Cornwall,  and  for  to  increase  mine  honour  ;  for 
that  same  day  that  I  fought  with  Sir  Marhaus  I  was  made 
knight,  and  never  or  then  did  I  battle  with  no  knight,  and  from 
me  he  went  alive,  and  left  his  shield  and  his  sword  behind. 

Truly,  said  the  king,  I  may  not  say  but  ye  did  as  a 
knight  should,  and  it  was  your  part  to  do  for  your  quarrel, 
and  to  increase  your  worship  as  a  knight  should  ;  howbeit 
I  may  not  maintain  you  in  this  country  with  my  worship, 
unless  that  I  should  displease  my  barons,  and  my  wife  and  her 
kin.  Sir,  said  Tristram,  I  thank  you  of  your  good  lordship 
that  I  have  had  with  you  here,  and  the  great  goodness  my 
lady,  your  daughter,  hath  shewed  me,  and  therefore,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  it  may  so  happen  that  ye  shall  win  more  by  my 
life  than  by  my  death,  for  in  the  parts  of  England  it  may 
happen  I  may  do  you  service  at  some  season,  that  ye  shall 
be  glad  that  ever  ye  shewed  me  your  good  lordship. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  went  unto  La  Beale  Isoud  and  took 
his  leave  of  her.  And  then  he  told  her  all,  what  he  was, 
and  how  he  had  changed  his  name  because  he  would  not 
be  known,  and  how  a  lady  told  him  that  he  should  never 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  KING  MARK     137 

be  whole  till  he  came  into  this  country  where  the  poison 
was  made,  wherethrough  I  was  near  my  death  had  not 
your  ladyship  been.  O  gentle  knight,  said  La  Beale  Isoud, 
full  woe  am  I  of  thy  departing,  for  I  saw  never  man  that 
I  owed  so  good  will  to.  And  therewithal  she  wept  heartily. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  shall  understand  that  my 
name  is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  son  of  King  Meliodas  and 
of  his  queen.  And  I  promise  you  faithfully  that  I  shall  be 
all  the  days  of  my  life  your  knight.  Gramercy,  said  La 
Beale  Isoud,  and  I  promise  you  there-against  that  I  shall  not 
be  married  this  seven  years  but  by  your  assent;  and  to 
whom  that  ye  will  I  shall  be  married  him  will  I  have,  and 
he  will  have  me  if  ye  will  consent. 

And  then  Sir  Tristram  gave  her  a  ring,  and  she  gave 
him  another  ;  and  therewith  he  departed  from  her,  leaving 
her  making  great  dole  and  lamentation. 

So  Sir  Tristram  departed,  and  took  the  sea,  and  with 
good  wind  he  arrived  up  at  Tintagil  in  Cornwall  ;  and 
when  there  came  tidings  that  Sir  Tristram  was  arrived,  and 
whole  of  his  wounds,  thereof  was  King  Mark  passing  glad, 
and  so  were  all  the  barons  ;  and  when  Sir  Tristram  saw  his 
time  he  rode  unto  his  father,  King  Meliodas,  and  there  he 
had  all  the  cheer  that  the  king  and  the  queen  could  make 
him.  And  then  largely  King  Meliodas  and  his  queen 
departed  of  their  lands  and  goods  to  Sir  Tristram. 

HOW  KING  MARK  SENT  SIR  TRISTRAM 
FOR  LA  BEALE  ISOUD  TOWARD  IRELAND, 
AND  HOW  BY  FORTUNE  HE  ARRIVED 
INTO  ENGLAND,  AND  FOUGHT  FOR  KING 
ANGUISH  AGAINST  SIR  BLAMORE.  Then  King 
Mark  imagined  in  himself  to  send  Sir  Tristram  into  Ireland 

L 


138  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

for  La  Beale  Isoud.  For  Sir  Tristram  had  so  praised  her 
beauty  and  her  goodness  that  King  Mark  said  that  he 
would  wed  her,  whereupon  he  prayed  Sir  Tristram  to  take 
his  way  into  Ireland  for  him  on  message.  So  Sir  Tristram 
departed  and  took  the  sea  with  all  his  fellowship.  And 
anon,  as  he  was  in  the  broad  sea  a  tempest  took  him  and 
his  fellowship,  and  drove  them  back  into  the  coast  of  Eng- 
land ;  and  there  they  arrived  fast  by  Camelot,  and  when 
they  were  landed  Sir  Tristram  set  up  his  pavilion. 

Then  it  fell  that  Sir  Bleoberis  and  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis, 
that  were  brethren,  they  had  summoned  the  King  Anguish 
of  Ireland  for  to  come  to  Arthur's  court  upon  pain  of  for- 
feiture of  King  Arthur's  good  grace.  And  if  the  King  of 
Ireland  came  not  in,  at  the  day  assigned  and  set,  the  king 
should  lose  his  lands.  So  it  happened  that  at  the  day 
assigned,  King  Arthur  neither  Sir  Launcelot  might  not 
be  there  for  to  give  the  judgment,  for  King  Arthur  was 
with  Sir  Launcelot  at  the  Casde  Joyous  Garde.  And  so 
King  Arthur  assigned  King  Carados  and  the  King  of  Scots 
to  be  there  that  day  as  judges.  So  when  the  kings  were 
at  Camelot  King  Anguish  of  Ireland  was  come  to  know  his 
accusers.  Then  was  there  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis,  and 
appealed  the  King  of  Ireland  of  treason,  that  he  had  slain 
a  cousin  of  his  in  his  court  in  Ireland  by  treason.  The 
king  was  sore  abashed  of  his  accusation,  for-why  he  was 
come  at  the  summons  of  King  Arthur,  and  ere  that  he  came 
at  Camelot  he  wist  not  wherefore  he  was  sent  after.  And 
when  the  king  heard  Sir  Blamore  say  his  will,  he  understood 
well  there  was  none  other  remedy  but  to  answer  him 
knightly  ;  for  the  custom  was  such  in  those  days,  that  an 
any  man  were  appealed  of  any  treason  or  murder  he  should 
fight  body  for  body,  or  else   to  find  another  knight  for 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  KING  ANGUISH    139 

him.  And  all  manner  of  murders  in  those  days  were  called 
treason. 

So  when  King  Anguish  understood  his  accusing  he 
was  passing  heavy,  for  he  knew  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis  that 
he  was  a  noble  knight,  and  of  noble  knights  come.  Then 
the  King  of  Ireland  was  simply  purveyed  of  his  answer  ; 
therefore  the  judges  gave  him  respite  by  the  third  day  to 
give  his  answer.     So  the  king  departed  unto  his  lodging. 

Then  when  Sir  Tristram  was  in  his  pavilion  Gouvernail, 
his  man,  came  and  told  him  how  that  King  Anguish  of 
Ireland  was  come  thither,  and  was  summoned  and  appealed 
of  murder.  These  be  the  best  tidings,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
that  ever  came  to  me  this  seven  years,  for  now  shall  the 
King  of  Ireland  have  need  of  my  help  ;  for  I  daresay  there 
is  no  knight  in  this  country  that  is  not  of  Arthur's  court 
dare  do  battle  with  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis  ;  and  for  to  win 
the  love  of  the  King  of  Ireland  I  will  take  the  batde  upon 
me  ;  and  therefore  Gouvernail  bring  me,  I  charge  thee, 
to  the  king. 

Then  Gouvernail  went  unto  King  Anguish  of  Ireland, 
and  saluted  him  fair.  The  king  welcomed  him  and  asked 
him  what  he  would.  Sir,  said  Gouvernail,  here  is  a  knight 
near  hand  that  desireth  to  speak  with  you  :  he  bade  me  say 
he  would  do  you  service.  What  knight  is  he  ?  said  the  king. 
Sir,  said  he,  it  is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  that  for  your  good 
grace  that  ye  showed  him  in  your  lands  will  reward  you  in 
this  country.  Come  on,  fellow,  said  the  king,  with  me 
anon  and  show  me  unto  Sir  Tristram.  So  the  king  took  a 
little  hackney  and  but  few  fellowship  with  him,  until  he 
came  unto  Sir  Tristram's  pavilion.  And  when  Sir  Tristram 
saw  the  king  he  ran  unto  him  and  would  have  holden  his 
stirrup.     But  the  king  leapt  from  his  horse  lighdy,  and 


140  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

either  halsed  other  in  arms.  My  gracious  lord,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  gramercy  of  your  great  goodnesses  showed  unto 
me  in  your  marches  and  lands  :  and  at  that  time  I  promised 
you  to  do  my  service  an  ever  it  lay  in  my  power.  And, 
gentle  knight,  said  the  king  unto  Sir  Tristram,  now  have  I 
great  need  of  you,  never  had  I  so  great  need  of  no  knight's 
help.  How  so,  my  good  lord  ?  said  Sir  Tristram.  I  shall 
tell  you,  said  the  king  :  I  am  assummoned  and  appealed 
from  my  country  for  the  death  of  a  knight  that  was  kin 
unto  the  good  knight  Sir  Launcelot ;  wherefore  Sir  Blamore 
de  Ganis,  brother  to  Sir  Bleoberis,  hath  appealed  me  to  fight 
with  him,  outher  to  find  a  knight  in  my  stead.  And  well  I 
wot,  said  the  king,  these  that  are  come  of  King  Ban's  blood, 
as  Sir  Launcelot  and  these  other,  are  passing  good  knights, 
and  hard  men  for  to  win  in  battle  as  any  that  I  know  now 
living.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  the  good  lordship  ye 
showed  me  in  Ireland,  and  for  my  lady  your  daughter's 
sake,  La  Beale  Isoud,  I  will  take  the  battle  for  you  upon 
this  condition  that  ye  shall  grant  me  two  things  :  that  one 
is  that  ye  shall  swear  to  me  that  ye  are  in  the  right,  that  ye 
were  never  consenting  to  the  knight's  death  ;  then,  when 
that  I  have  done  this  batde,  if  God  give  me  grace  that  I 
speed,  that  ye  shall  give  me  a  reward,  what  thing  reasonable 
that  I  will  ask  of  you.  So  God  me  help,  said  the  king,  ye 
shall  have  whatsomever  ye  will  ask.  It  is  well  said,  said  Sir 
Tristram.  Now  make  your  answer  that  your  champion  is 
ready,  for  I  shall  die  in  your  quarrel  rather  than  to  be 
recreant. 

So  King  Anguish  departed  unto  King  Carados  and  the 
kings  that  were  that  time  as  judges,  and  told  them  that  he 
had  found  his  champion  ready.  Then  by  the  command- 
ment of  the  kings  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis  and  Sir  Tristram 


SIR  TRISTRAM  FIGHTS  SIR  BLAMORE    141 

were  sent  for  to  hear  the  charge.  And  when  they  were 
come  before  the  judges  there  were  many  kings  and  knights 
beheld  Sir  Tristram,  and  much  speech  they  had  of  him 
because  that  he  slew  Sir  Marhaus,  the  good  knight,  and 
because  he  for-jousted  Sir  Palamides  the  good  knight.  So 
when  they  had  taken  their  charge  they  withdrew  them  to 
make  them  ready  to  do  battle. 

Then  said  Sir  Bleoberis  unto  his  brother,  Sir  Blamore  : 

Fair  dear  brother,  remember  of  what  kin  we  be  come  of, 

and  what  a  man  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  neither  farther 

nor  nearer  but  brother's  children,  and  there  was  never  none 

of  our  kin   that  ever  was  shamed  in   battle  ;    and  rather 

suffer  death,   brother,   than   to  be  shamed.     Brother,  said 

Blamore,  have  ye  no  doubt  of  me,  for  I  shall  never  shame 

none  of  my  blood  ;   howbeit  I  am  sure  that  yonder  knight 

is  called  a  passing  good  knight,  as  of  his  time  one  of  the 

world,  yet  shall  I  never  yield  me,  nor  say  the  loath  word  : 

well  may  he  happen  to  smite  me  down  with  his  great  might 

of  chivalry,  but  rather  shall  he  slay  me  than  I  shall  yield 

me  as  recreant.     God  speed  you  well,  said  Sir  Bleoberis, 

for  ye  shall  find  him  the  mightiest  knight  that  ever  ye  had 

ado  withal,  for  I  know  him,  for  I  have  had  ado  with  him. 

God  me  speed,  said  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis  ;    and  therewith 

he  took  his  horse  at  the  one  end  of  the  lists,  and  Sir  Tristram 

at  the  other  end  of  the  lists,  and  so  they  feutred  their  spears 

and  came  together  as  it  had  been  thunder  ;    and  there  Sir 

Tristram   through   great   might  smote   down   Sir    Blamore 

and  his  horse  to  the  earth.     Then  anon  Sir  Blamore  avoided 

his  horse  and  pulled  out  his  sword  and  threw  his  shield  afore 

him,  and  bade  Sir  Tristram  alight  :    For  though  an  horse 

hath  failed  me,  I  trust  to  God  the  earth  will  not  fail  me. 

And    then   Sir  Tristram   alighted,   and   dressed   him   unto 


H2  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

battle  ;  and  there  they  lashed  together  strongly  as  racing 
and  tracing,  foining  and  dashing,  many  sad  strokes,  and  at 
the  last,  Sir  Tristram  smote  Sir  Blamore  such  a  buffet  upon 
the  helm  that  he  there  fell  down  upon  his  side,  and  Sir 
Tristram  stood  and  beheld  him. 

Then  when  Sir  Blamore  might  speak,  he  said  thus  :  Sir 
Tristram  de  Liones,  I  require  thee,  as  thou  art  a  noble 
knight,  and  the  best  knight  that  ever  I  found,  that  thou  wilt 
slay  me  out,  for  I  would  not  live  to  be  made  lord  of  all  the 
earth,  for  I  have  liefer  die  with  worship  than  live  with 
shame  ;  and  needs,  Sir  Tristram,  thou  must  slay  me,  or  else 
thou  shalt  never  win  the  field,  for  I  will  never  say  the  loath 
word.  And  therefore  if  thou  dare  slay  me,  slay  me,  I  re- 
quire thee.  When  Sir  Tristram  heard  him  say  so  knightly, 
he  wist  not  what  to  do  with  him  ;  he  remembering  him 
of  both  parties,  of  what  blood  he  was  come,  and  for  Sir 
Launcelot's  sake  he  would  be  loath  to  slay  him  ;  and 
in  the  other  party  in  no  wise  he  might  not  choose,  but 
that  he  must  make  him  to  say  the  loath  word,  or  else  to 
slay  him. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  stert  aback,  and  went  to  the  kings 
that  were  judges,  and  there  he  kneeled  down  to-fore  them, 
and  besought  them  for  their  worships,  and  for  King  Arthur's 
and  Sir  Launcelot's  sake,  that  they  would  take  this  matter  in 
their  hands.  For,  my  fair  lords,  said  Sir  Tristram,  it  were 
shame  and  pity  that  this  noble  knight  that  yonder  lieth 
should  be  slain  ;  for  ye  hear  well,  shamed  will  he  not  be, 
and  I  pray  to  God  that  he  never  be  slain  nor  shamed  for 
me.  And  as  for  the  king  for  whom  I  fight  for,  I  shall 
require  him,  as  I  am  his  true  champion  and  true  knight  in 
this  field,  that  he  will  have  mercy  upon  this  good  knight. 
So  God  me  help,  said  King  Anguish,  I  will  for  your  sake, 


SIR  TRISTRAM  SPARES  SIR  BLAMORE    143 

Sir  Tristram,  be  ruled  as  ye  will  have  me,  for  I  know  you 
for  my  true  knight  ;  and  therefore  I  will  heartily  pray  the 
kings  that  be  here  as  judges  to  take  it  in  their  hands.  And 
the  kings  that  were  judges  called  Sir  Bleoberis  to  them,  and 
asked  him  his  advice.  My  lords,  said  Bleoberis,  though 
my  brother  be  beaten,  and  hath  the  worse  through  might 
of  arms,  I  dare  say,  though  Sir  Tristram  hath  beaten  his 
body  he  hath  not  beaten  his  heart,  and  I  thank  God  he  is 
not  shamed  this  day  ;  and  rather  than  he  should  be  shamed 
I  require  you,  said  Bleoberis,  let  Sir  Tristram  slay  him  out. 
It  shall  not  be  so,  said  the  kings,  for  his  part  adversary,  both 
the  king  and  the  champion,  have  pity  of  Sir  Blamore's 
knighthood.  My  lords,  said  Bleoberis,  I  will  right  well 
as  ye  will. 

Then  the  kings  called  the  King  of  Ireland,  and  found 
him  goodly  and  treatable.  And  then,  by  all  their  advices, 
Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Bleoberis  took  up  Sir  Blamore,  and 
the  two  brethren  were  accorded  with  King  Anguish,  and 
kissed  and  made  friends  for  ever.  And  then  Sir  Blamore 
and  Sir  Tristram  kissed  together,  and  there  they  made  their 
oaths  that  they  would  never  none  of  them  two  brethren  fight 
with  Sir  Tristram,  and  Sir  Tristram  made  the  same  oath. 
And  for  that  gentle  battle  all  the  blood  of  Sir  Launcelot 
loved  Sir  Tristram  for  ever. 

Then  King  Anguish  and  Sir  Tristram  took  their  leave, 
and  sailed  into  Ireland  with  great  noblesse  and  joy.  So 
when  they  were  in  Ireland  the  king  let  make  it  known 
throughout  all  the  land  how  and  in  what  manner  Sir  Tris- 
tram had  done  for  him.  Then  the  queen  and  all  that  there 
were  made  the  most  of  him  that  they  might.  But  the  joy 
that  La  Beale  Isoud  made  of  Sir  Tristram  there  might  no 
tongue  tell,  for  of  all  men  earthly  she  loved  him  most. 


i44  0F  SIR  TRISTRAM 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  DEMANDED  LA 
BEALE  ISOUD  FOR  KING  MARK,  AND 
HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  ISOUD 
DRANK  THE  LOVE  DRINK,  AND  HOW 
SIR  TRISTRAM  RESCUED  ISOUD  FROM 
SIR  PALAMIDES.  Then  upon  a  day  King 
Anguish  asked  Sir  Tristram  why  he  asked  not 
his  boon,  for  whatsomever  he  had  promised 
him  he  should  have  it  without  fail.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
now  is  it  time  ;  this  is  all  that  I  will  desire,  that  ye  will 
give  me  La  Beale  Isoud,  your  daughter,  not  for  myself, 
but  for  mine  uncle,  King  Mark,  that  shall  have  her  to 
wife,  for  so  have  I  promised  him.  Alas,  said  the  king,  I 
had  liefer  than  all  the  land  that  I  have  ye  would  wed  her 
yourself.  Sir,  an  I  did,  then  I  were  shamed  for  ever  in 
this  world,  and  false  of  my  promise.  Therefore,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  I  pray  you  hold  your  promise  that  ye  promised 
me  ;  for  this  is  my  desire,  that  ye  will  give  me  La  Beale 
Isoud  to  go  with  me  into  Cornwall  for  to  be  wedded  to  King 
Mark,  mine  uncle.  As  for  that,  said  King  Anguish,  ye  shall 
have  her  with  you  to  do  with  her  what  it  please  you  ;  that 
is  for  to  say  if  that  ye  list  to  wed  her  yourself,  that  is  me 
liefest,  and  if  ye  will  give  her  unto  King  Mark,  your  uncle, 
that  is  in  your  choice.  So,  to  make  short  conclusion,  La 
■  Beale  Isoud  was  made  ready  to  go  with  Sir  Tristram,  and 
Dame  Bragwaine  went  with  her  for  her  chief  gendewoman, 
with  many  other. 

Then  the  queen,  Isoud's  mother,  gave  to  her  and  Dame 
Bragwaine,  her  daughter's  gendewoman,  and  unto  Gouver- 
nail,  a  drink,  and  charged  them  that  what  day  King  Mark 
should  wed,  that  same  day  they  should  give  him  that  drink, 
so  that  King  Mark  should  drink  to  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  then, 


ish  asked  Si 
n,   for    \ 

ive  it  v. 


that  I  have  ye  w 

; 

How  Tristram  and  Isoud  drank  the  love  drink. 

that  y< 

To  face  page  144. 


Dv.  1 

-gwaint 

- 


OF  THE  WEDDING  OF  KING  MARK       145 

said  the  queen,  I  undertake  either  shall  love  other  the  days 
of  their  life.  So  this  drink  was  given  unto  Dame  Bragwaine, 
and  unto  Gouvernail.  And  then  anon  Sir  Tristram  took 
the  sea,  and  La  Beale  Isoud  ;  and  when  they  were  in  their 
cabin,  it  happed  so  that  they  were  thirsty,  and  they  saw 
a  little  flasket  of  gold  stand  by  them,  and  it  seemed  by  the 
colour  and  the  taste  that  it  was  noble  wine.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  took  the  flasket  in  his  hand,  and  said,  Madam 
Isoud,  here  is  the  best  drink  that  ever  ye  drank,  that  Dame 
Bragwaine,  your  maiden,  and  Gouvernail,  my  servant, 
have  kept  for  themselves.  Then  they  laughed  and  made 
good  cheer,  and  either  drank  to  other  freely,  and  they  thought 
never  drink  that  ever  they  drank  to  other  was  so  sweet  nor 
so  good.  But  by  that  their  drink  was  in  their  bodies,  they 
loved  either  other  so  well  that  never  their  love  departed 
for  weal  neither  for  woe. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale  Isoud  came  into 
Cornwall,  and  there  all  the  barons  met  them.  And  anon 
King  Mark  and  La  Beale  Isoud  were  richly  wedded  with 
great  noblesse.  Then  was  there  great  jousts  and  great 
tourneying,  and  many  lords  and  ladies  were  at  that  feast, 
and  Sir  Tristram  was  most  praised  of  all  other. 

Thus  dured  the  feast  long,  and  after  the  feast  was  done, 
within  a  little  while  after,  by  the  assent  of  two  ladies 
that  were  with  Queen  Isoud,  they  ordained  for  hate  and 
envy  for  to  destroy  Dame  Bragwaine,  that  was  maiden  and 
lady  unto  La  Beale  Isoud  ;  and  she  was  sent  into  the  forest 
for  to  fetch  herbs,  and  there  she  was  met,  and  bound  feet 
and  hand  to  a  tree,  and  so  she  was  bounden  three  days. 
And  by  fortune,  Sir  Palamides  found  Dame  Bragwaine,  and 
there  he  delivered  her  from  the  death,  and  brought  her  to 
a  nunnery  there  beside,  for  to  be  recovered.     When  Isoud 


146  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

the  queen  missed  her  maiden,  wit  ye  well  she  was  right 
heavy  as  ever  was  any  queen,  for  of  all  earthly  women  she 
loved  her  best :  the  cause  was  for  she  came  with  her  out  of 
her  country.  And  so  upon  a  day  Queen  Isoud  walked 
into  the  forest  to  put  away  her  thoughts,  and  there  she 
went  herself  unto  a  well  and  made  great  moan.  And 
suddenly  there  came  Palamides  to  her,  and  had  heard  all 
her  complaint,  and  said  :  Madam  Isoud,  an  ye  will  grant 
me  my  boon,  I  shall  bring  to  you  Dame  Bragwaine  safe 
and  sound.  And  the  queen  was  so  glad  of  his  proffer  that 
suddenly  unadvised  she  granted  all  his  asking.  Well, 
Madam,  said  Palamides,  I  trust  to  your  promise,  and  if  ye 
will  abide  here  half  an  hour  I  shall  bring  her  to  you.  I 
shall  abide  you,  said  La  Beale  Isoud.  And  Sir  Palamides 
rode  forth  his  way  to  that  nunnery,  and  lightly  he  came 
again  with  Dame  Bragwaine  ;  but  by  her  good  will  she 
would  not  have  come  again,  because  for  love  of  the  queen 
she  stood  in  adventure  of  her  life.  Notwithstanding,  half 
against  her  will,  she  went  with  Sir  Palamides  unto  the  queen. 
And  when  the  queen  saw  her  she  was  passing  glad.  Now, 
Madam,  said  Palamides,  remember  upon  your  promise,  for 
I  have  fulfilled  my  promise.  Sir  Palamides,  said  the  queen, 
I  wot  not  what  is  your  desire,  but  I  will  that  ye  wit,  howbeit 
I  promised  you  largely,  I  thought  none  evil,  nor  I  warn 
you  none  evil  will  I  do.  Madam,  said  Sir  Palamides,  as 
at  this  time,  ye  shall  not  know  my  desire,  but  before  my  lord 
your  husband  there  shall  ye  know  that  I  will  have  my  desire 
that  ye  have  promised  me.  And  therewith  the  queen 
departed,  and  rode  home  to  the  king,  and  Sir  Palamides 
rode  after  her. 

And  when  Sir  Palamides  came  before  the  king,  he  said  : 
Sir  King,  I  require  you,  as  ye  be  a  righteous  king,  that  ye 


HOW  PALAMIDES  DEMANDED  ISOUD      147 

will  judge  me  the  right.  Tell  me  your  cause,  said  the  king, 
and  ye  shall  have  right.  Sir,  said  Palamides,  I  promised  your 
Queen  Isoud  to  bring  again  Dame  Bragwaine  that  she  had 
lost,  upon  this  covenant,  that  she  should  grant  me  a  boon  that 
I  would  ask,  and  without  grudging,  outher  advisement,  she 
granted  me.  What  say  ye,  my  lady  ?  said  the  king.  It  is  as 
he  saith,  said  the  queen  ;  to  say  thee  sooth  I  promised  him  his 
asking  for  love  and  joy  that  I  had  to  see  her.  Well,  Madam, 
said  the  king,  and  if  ye  were  hasty  to  grant  him  what  boon  he 
would  ask,  I  will  well  that  ye  perform  your  promise.  Then, 
said  Palamides,  I  will  that  ye  wit  that  I  will  have  your  queen 
to  lead  her  and  govern  her  whereas  me  list.  Therewith 
the  king  stood  still,  and  bethought  him  of  Sir  Tristram,  and 
deemed  that  he  would  rescue  her.  And  then  hastily  the 
king  answered  :  Take  her  with  the  adventures  that  shall 
fall  of  it,  for  as  I  suppose  thou  wilt  not  enjoy  her  no  while. 
As  for  that,  said  Palamides,  I  dare  right  well  abide  the 
adventure.  And  so,  to  make  short  tale,  Sir  Palamides  took 
her  by  the  hand  and  said  :  Madam,  grudge  not  to  go  with 
me,  for  I  desire  nothing  but  your  own  promise.  As  for 
that,  said  the  queen,  I  fear  not  greatly  to  go  with  thee, 
howbeit  thou  hast  me  at  advantage  upon  my  promise,  for 
I  doubt  not  I  shall  be  worshipfully  rescued  from  thee.  As 
for  that,  said  Sir  Palamides,  be  it  as  it  be  may.  So  Queen 
Isoud  was  set  behind  Palamides,  and  rode  his  way. 

Anon  the  king  sent  after  Sir  Tristram,  but  in  no  wise 
he  could  be  found,  for  he  was  in  the  forest  a-hunting  ;  for 
that  was  always  his  custom,  but  if  he  used  arms,  to  chase 
and  to  hunt  in  the  forests.  Alas,  said  the  king,  now  I  am 
shamed  for  ever,  that  by  mine  own  assent  my  lady  and  my 
queen  shall  be  devoured.  Then  came  forth  a  knight,  his 
name  was  Lambegus,  and  he  was  a  knight  of  Sir  Tristram. 


148  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

My  lord,  said  this  knight,  sith  ye  have  trust  in  my  lord, 
Sir  Tristram,  wit  ye  well  for  his  sake  I  will  ride  after  your 
queen  and  rescue  her,  or  else  I  shall  be  beaten.  Gramercy, 
said  the  king,  as  I  live,  Sir  Lambegus,  I  shall  deserve  it. 
And  then  Sir  Lambegus  armed  him,  and  rode  after  as  fast 
as  he  might.  And  then  within  a  while  he  overtook  Sir 
Palamides.  And  then  Sir  Palamides  left  the  queen.  What 
art  thou,  said  Palamides,  art  thou  Tristram  ?  Nay,  he  said, 
I  am  his  servant,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Lambegus.  That  me 
repenteth,  said  Palamides.  I  had  liefer  thou  hadst  been 
Sir  Tristram.  I  believe  you  well,  said  Lambegus,  but 
when  thou  meetest  with  Sir  Tristram  thou  shalt  have  thy 
hands  full.  And  then  they  hurtled  together  and  all  to- 
brast  their  spears,  and  then  they  pulled  out  their  swords, 
and  hewed  on  helms  and  hauberks.  At  the  last  Sir  Pala- 
mides gave  Sir  Lambegus  such  a  wound  that  he  fell  down 
like  a  dead  knight  to  the  earth. 

Then  he  looked  after  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  then  she  was 
gone  he  nist  where.  Wit  ye  well  Sir  Palamides  was  never 
so  heavy.  So  the  queen  ran  into  the  forest,  and  there  she 
found  a  well,  and  therein  she  had  thought  to  have  drowned 
herself.  And  as  good  fortune  would,  there  came  a  knight 
to  her  that  had  a  castle  thereby,  his  name  was  Sir  Adtherp. 
And  when  he  found  the  queen  in  that  mischief  he  rescued 
her,  and  brought  her  to  his  casde.  And  when  he  wist 
what  she  was  he  armed  him,  and  took  his  horse,  and  said 
he  would  be  avenged  upon  Palamides  ;  and  so  he  rode  on 
till  he  met  with  him,  and  there  Sir  Palamides  wounded  him 
sore,  and  by  force  he  made  him  to  tell  him  the  cause  why 
he  did  battle  with  him,  and  how  he  had  led  the  queen  unto 
his  casde.  Now  bring  me  there,  said  Palamides,  or  thou 
shalt  die  of  my  hands.      Sir,  said  Sir  Adtherp,  I  am  so 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  PALAMIDES      149 

wounded  I  may  not  follow,  but  ride  you  this  way  and  it 
shall  bring  you  into  my  casde,  and  there  within  is  the  queen. 
Then  Sir  Palamides  rode  still  till  he  came  to  the  castle. 
And  at  a  window  La  Beale  Isoud  saw  Sir  Palamides  ;  then 
she  made  the  gates  to  be  shut  strongly.  And  when  he  saw 
he  might  not  come  within  the  casde,  he  put  off  his  bridle 
and  his  saddle,  and  put  his  horse  to  pasture,  and  set  himself 
down  at  the  gate  like  a  man  that  was  out  of  his  wit  that 
recked  not  of  himself. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Tristram,  that  when  he  was  come 
home  and  wist  La  Beale  Isoud  was  gone  with  Sir  Palamides, 
wit  ye  well  he  was  wroth  out  of  measure.  Alas,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  I  am  this  day  shamed.  Then  he  cried  to  Gouver- 
nail  his  man  :  Haste  thee  that  I  were  armed  and  on  horse- 
back, for  well  I  wot  Lambegus  hath  no  might  nor  strength 
to  withstand  Sir  Palamides  :  alas  that  I  have  not  been  in 
his  stead  !  So  anon  as  he  was  armed  and  horsed  Sir  Tristram 
and  Gouvernail  rode  after  into  the  forest,  and  within  a  while 
he  found  his  knight  Lambegus  almost  wounded  to  the 
death  ;  and  Sir  Tristram  bare  him  to  a  forester,  and  charged 
him  to  keep  him  well.  And  then  he  rode  forth,  and  there 
he  found  Sir  Adtherp  sore  wounded,  and  he  told  him  how 
the  queen  would  have  drowned  herself  had  he  not  been,  and 
how  for  her  sake  and  love  he  had  taken  upon  him  to  do 
battle  with  Sir  Palamides.  Where  is  my  lady  ?  said  Sir 
Tristram.  Sir,  said  the  knight,  she  is  sure  enough  within 
my  castle,  an  she  can  hold  her  within  it.  Gramercy,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  of  thy  great  goodness.  And  so  he  rode  till 
he  came  nigh  to  that  casde  ;  and  then  Sir  Tristram  saw 
where  Sir  Palamides  sat  at  the  gate  sleeping,  and  his  horse 
pastured  fast  afore  him.  Now  go  thou,  Gouvernail,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  and  bid  him  awake,  and  make  him  ready. 


i5o  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

So  Gouvernail  rode  unto  him  and  said  :  Sir  Palamides, 
arise,  and  take  to  thee  thine  harness.  But  he  was  in  such 
a  study  he  heard  not  what  Gouvernail  said.  So  Gouvernail 
came  again  and  told  Sir  Tristram  he  slept,  or  else  he  was 
mad.  Go  thou  again,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  bid  him  arise, 
and  tell  him  that  I  am  here,  his  mortal  foe.  So  Gouvernail 
rode  again  and  put  upon  him  the  butt  of  his  spear,  and  said  : 
Sir  Palamides,  make  thee  ready,  for  wit  ye  well  Sir  Tristram 
hoveth  yonder,  and  sendeth  thee  word  he  is  thy  mortal  foe. 
And  therewithal  Sir  Palamides  arose  stilly,  without 
words,  and  gat  his  horse,  and  saddled  him  and  bridled  him, 
and  lightly  he  leapt  upon,  and  gat  his  spear  in  his  hand, 
and  either  feutred  their  spears  and  hurded  fast  together  ; 
and  there  Tristram  smote  down  Sir  Palamides  over  his 
horse's  tail.  Then  lightly  Sir  Palamides  put  his  shield 
afore  him  and  drew  his  sword.  And  there  began  strong 
battle  on  both  parts,  for  both  they  fought  for  the  love  of 
one  lady,  and  ever  she  lay  on  the  walls  and  beheld  them 
how  they  fought  out  of  measure,  and  either  were  wounded 
passing  sore,  but  Palamides  was  much  sorer  wounded. 
Thus  they  fought  tracing  and  traversing  more  than  two 
hours,  that  well-nigh  for  dole  and  sorrow  La  Beale  Isoud 
swooned.  Alas,  she  said,  that  one  I  loved  and  yet  do,  and 
the  other  I  love  not,  yet  it  were  great  pity  that  I  should  see 
Sir  Palamides  slain  ;  for  well  I  know  by  that  time  the  end 
be  done  Sir  Palamides  is  but  a  dead  knight :  because  he  is 
not  christened  I  would  be  loath  that  he  should  die  a  Saracen. 
And  therewithal  she  came  down  and  besought  Sir  Tristram 
to  fight  no  more.  Ah,  madam,  said  he,  what  mean  you, 
will  ye  have  me  shamed  ?  Well  ye  know  I  will  be  ruled 
by  you.  I  will  not  your  dishonour,  said  La  Beale  Isoud, 
but  I  would  that  ye  would  for  my  sake  spare  this  unhappy 


SIR  TRISTRAM  ACCUSED  AS  TRAITOR    151 

Saracen  Palamides.  Madam,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will  leave 
fighting  at  this  time  for  your  sake.  Then  she  said  to  Sir 
Palamides  :  This  shall  be  your  charge,  that  thou  shalt  go 
out  of  this  country  while  I  am  therein.  I  will  obey  your 
commandment,  said  Sir  Palamides,  the  which  is  sore  against 
my  will.  Then  take  thy  way,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  unto  the 
court  of  King  Arthur,  and  there  recommend  me  unto 
Queen  Guenever,  and  tell  her  that  I  send  her  word  that 
there  be  within  this  land  but  four  lovers,  that  is,  Sir  Launce- 
lot  du  Lake  and  Queen  Guenever,  and  Sir  Tristram  de 
Liones  and  Queen  Isoud. 

OF  THE  DEBATE  OF  KING  MARK  AND 
SIR  TRISTRAM,  AND  HOW  SIR  TRIS- 
TRAM SMOTE  DOWN  SIR  LAMORAK, 
AND  IN  DESPITE  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 
SIR  LAMORAK  SENT  AN  HORN  TO 
KING  MARK.  And  so  Sir  Palamides  de- 
parted with  great  heaviness.  And  Sir  Tristram 
took  the  queen  and  brought  her  again  to  King 
Mark,  and  then  was  there  made  great  joy  of 
her  home-coming.  Who  was  cherished  but  Sir  Tristram  ! 
But  ever  Sir  Andred,  that  was  nigh  cousin  to  Sir  Tristram, 
lay  in  a  watch  to  wait  betwixt  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale 
Isoud,  for  to  take  them  and  slander  them.  So  upon  a  day  Sir 
Tristram  talked  with  La  Beale  Isoud  in  a  window,  and  that 
espied  Sir  Andred,  and  told  it  to  the  King.  Then  King 
Mark  took  a  sword  in  his  hand  and  came  to  Sir  Tristram, 
and  called  him  false  traitor,  and  would  have  stricken  him. 
But  Sir  Tristram  was  nigh  him,  and  ran  under  his  sword, 
and  took  it  out  of  his  hand.  And  then  the  King  cried  : 
Where  are  my  knights  and  my  men  ?     I  charge  you  slay 


i52  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

this  traitor.  But  at  that  time  there  was  not  one  would  move 
for  his  words.  When  Sir  Tristram  saw  that  there  was  not 
one  would  be  against  him,  he  shook  the  sword  to  the  king, 
and  made  countenance  as  though  he  would  have  stricken 
him.  And  then  King  Mark  fled,  and  Sir  Tristram  followed 
him,  and  smote  upon  him  five  or  six  strokes  flading  on  the 
neck,  that  he  made  him  to  fall  upon  the  nose.  And  then 
Sir  Tristram  went  his  way  and  armed  him,  and  took  his 
horse  and  his  man,  and  so  he  rode  into  that  forest. 

Then  King  Mark  called  his  council  unto  him,  and  asked 
advice  of  his  barons  what  was  best  to  do  with  Sir  Tristram. 
Sir,  said  the  barons,  in  especial  Sir  Dinas,  the  Seneschal, 
Sir,  we  will  give  you  counsel  for  to  send  for  Sir  Tristram, 
for  we  will  that  ye  wit  many  men  will  hold  with  Sir  Tris- 
tram an  he  were  hard  bestead.  And  sir,  said  Sir  Dinas,  ye 
shall  understand  that  Sir  Tristram  is  called  peerless  and 
makeless  of  any  Christian  knight,  and  of  his  might  and 
hardiness  we  knew  none  so  good  a  knight,  but  if  it  be  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake.  And  if  he  depart  from  your  court 
and  go  to  King  Arthur's  court,  wit  ye  well  he  will  get  him 
such  friends  there  that  he  will  not  set  by  your  malice.  And 
therefore,  sir,  I  counsel  you  to  take  him  to  your  grace.  I 
will  well,  said  the  king,  that  he  be  sent  for,  that  we  may 
be  friends.  Then  the  barons  sent  for  Sir  Tristram  under 
a  safe  conduct.  And  so  when  Sir  Tristram  came  to  the  king 
he  was  welcome,  and  no  rehearsal  was  made,  and  there  was 
game  and  play.  And  then  the  king  and  the  queen  went 
a-hunting,  and  Sir  Tristram. 

The  king  and  the  queen  made  their  pavilions  and  their 
tents  in  that  forest  beside  a  river,  and  there  was  daily  hunting 
and  jousting,  for  there  were  ever  thirty  knights  ready  to 
joust  unto  all  them  that  came  in  at  that  time.     And  there 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  LAMORAK    153 

by  fortune  came  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis  and  Sir  Driant  ; 
and  there  Sir  Driant  jousted  right  well,  but  at  the  last  he 
had  a  fall.  Then  Sir  Lamorak  proffered  to  joust.  And 
when  he  began  he  fared  so  with  the  thirty  knights  that 
there  was  not  one  of  them  but  that  he  gave  him  a  fall,  and 
some  of  them  were  sore  hurt.  I  marvel,  said  King  Mark, 
what  knight  he  is  that  doth  such  deeds  of  arms.  Sir,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  I  know  him  well  for  a  noble  knight  as  few 
now  be  living,  and  his  name  is  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis.  It 
were  great  shame,  said  the  king,  that  he  should  go  thus 
away,  unless  that  some  of  you  meet  with  him  better.  Sir, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  meseemeth  it  were  no  worship  for  a  noble 
man  to  have  ado  with  him,  insomuch  as  he  and  his  horse  are 
weary  both  ;  for  the  deeds  of  arms  that  he  hath  done  this 
day,  an  they  be  well  considered,  it  were  enough  for  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake.  As  for  that,  said  King  Mark,  I  require 
you,  as  ye  love  me  and  my  lady  the  queen,  La  Beale  Isoud, 
take  your  arms  and  joust  with  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis.  Sir, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  bid  me  do  a  thing  that  is  against  knight- 
hood ;  but  because  I  will  not  displease  you,  as  ye  require 
me  so  will  I  do,  and  obey  your  commandment. 

And  so  Sir  Tristram  armed  him  and  took  his  horse, 
and  put  him  forth,  and  there  Sir  Lamorak  met  him  mightily, 
and  what  with  the  might  of  his  own  spear,  and  of  Sir  Tris- 
tram's spear,  Sir  Lamorak's  horse  fell  to  the  earth,  and  he 
sitting  in  the  saddle.  Then  anon  as  lightly  as  he  might  he 
avoided  the  saddle  and  his  horse,  and  put  his  shield  afore 
him  and  drew  his  sword.  And  then  he  bade  Sir  Tristram  : 
Alight,  thou  knight,  an  thou  durst.  Nay,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
I  will  no  more  have  ado  with  thee,  for  I  have  done  to  thee 
over  much  unto  my  dishonour  and  to  thy  worship.  As 
for  that,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  I  can  thee  no  thank  ;   since  thou 

M 


154  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

hast  for-jousted  me  on  horseback  I  require  thee  and  I 
beseech  thee,  an  thou  be  Sir  Tristram,  fight  with  me  on  foot. 
I  will  not  so,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  wit  ye  well  my  name 
is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones,  and  well  I  know  ye  be  Sir  Lamorak 
de  Galis,  and  this  that  I  have  done  to  you  was  against  my 
will,  but  I  was  required  thereto  ;  but  to  say  that  I  will  do 
at  your  request  as  at  this  time,  I  will  have  no  more  ado  with 
you,  for  me  shameth  of  that  I  have  done.  As  for  the  shame, 
said  Sir  Lamorak,  on  thy  part  or  on  mine,  bear  thou  it  an 
thou  wilt,  for  though  a  mare's  son  hath  failed  me,  now  a 
queen's  son  shall  not  fail  thee  ;  and  therefore,  an  thou  be 
such  a  knight  as  men  call  thee,  I  require  thee,  alight,  and 
fight  with  me.  Sir  Lamorak,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  under- 
stand your  heart  is  great,  and  cause  why  ye  have,  to  say 
thee  sooth  ;  for  it  would  grieve  me  an  any  knight  should 
keep  him  fresh  and  then  to  strike  down  a  weary  knight, 
for  that  knight  nor  horse  was  never  formed  that  alway 
might  stand  or  endure.  And  therefore,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
I  will  not  have  ado  with  you,  for  me  forthinketh  of  that  I 
have  done.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  I  shall  quit  you, 
an  ever  I  see  my  time.  So  he  departed  from  him  with 
Sir  Driant,  and  by  the  way  they  met  with  a  knight  that  was 
sent  from  Morgan  le  Fay  unto  King  Arthur  ;  and  this 
knight  had  a  fair  horn  harnessed  with  gold,  and  the  horn  had 
such  a  virtue  that  there  might  no  lady  nor  gendewoman 
drink  of  that  horn  but  if  she  were  true  to  her  husband,  and 
if  she  were  false  she  should  spill  all  the  drink,  and  if  she  were 
true  to  her  lord  she  might  drink  peaceable.  And  because 
of  the  Queen  Guenever,  and  in  the  despite  of  Sir  Launcelot, 
this  horn  was  sent  unto  King  Arthur  ;  and  by  force  Sir 
Lamorak  made  that  knight  to  tell  all  the  cause  why  he 
bare    that   horn.      Now   shalt    thou    bear    this    horn,    said 


OF  SIR  LAMORAK  AND  KING  MARK      155 

Lamorak,  unto  King  Mark,  or  else  choose  thou  to  die  for 
it  ;  for  I  tell  thee  plainly,  in  despite  and  reproof  of  Sir 
Tristram  thou  shalt  bear  that  horn  unto  King  Mark,  his 
uncle,  and  say  thou  to  him  that  I  sent  it  him  for  to  assay 
his  lady,  and  if  she  be  true  to  him  he  shall  prove  her.  So 
the  knight  went  his  way  unto  King  Mark,  and  brought 
him  that  rich  horn,  and  said  that  Sir  Lamorak  sent  it  him, 
and  thereto  he  told  him  the  virtue  of  that  horn.  Then 
the  king  made  Queen  Isoud  to  drink  thereof,  and  an  hundred 
ladies,  and  there  were  but  four  ladies  of  all  those  that  drank 
clean.  Alas,  said  King  Mark,  this  is  a  great  despite,  and 
sware  a  great  oath  that  she  should  be  burnt  and  the  other 
ladies. 

Then  the  barons  gathered  them  together,  and  said 
plainly  they  would  not  have  those  ladies  burnt  for  an  horn 
made  by  sorcery,  that  came  from  as  false  a  sorceress  and 
witch  as  then  was  living.  For  that  horn  did  never  good, 
but  caused  strife  and  debate,  and  always  in  her  days  she 
had  been  an  enemy  to  all  true  lovers.  So  there  were  many 
knights  made  their  avow,  an  ever  they  met  with  Morgan 
le  Fay,  that  they  would  show  her  short  courtesy.  Also 
Sir  Tristram  was  passing  wroth  that  Sir  Lamorak  sent  that 
horn  unto  King  Mark,  for  well  he  knew  that  it  was  done 
in  the  despite  of  him.  And  therefore  he  thought  to  quite 
Sir  Lamorak. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  WAS  TAKEN  WITH  LA 
BEALE  ISOUD,  AND  HOW  HE  ESCAPED 
TO  BRITTANY  AND  SERVED  IN  WAR 
KING  HOWEL.  Then,  always,  Sir  Tristram  used  to  go  to 
Queen  Isoud  when  he  might,  and  ever  Sir  Andred  his  cousin 
watched  him  night  and  day  for  to  take  him  with  La  Beale 


156  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Isoud.  And  so  upon  a  day  Sir  Andred  espied  the  hour 
and  the  time  when  Sir  Tristram  went  to  his  lady.  Then 
Sir  Andred  gat  unto  him  twelve  knights,  and  he  set  upon 
Sir  Tristram  secretly  and  suddenly,  and  there  Sir  Tristram 
was  taken  with  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  then  was  he  bound 
hand  and  foot,  and  so  was  he  kept  until  the  next  day. 
And  then  by  the  assent  of  King  Mark,  and  of  Sir  Andred, 
and  of  some  of  the  barons,  Sir  Tristram  was  led  unto  a 
chapel  that  stood  upon  the  sea  rocks,  there  for  to  take  his 
judgment :  and  so  he  was  led  bounden  with  forty  knights. 
And  when  Sir  Tristram  saw  that  there  was  none  other 
remedy  but  needs  that  he  must  die,  then  said  he  :  Fair 
lords,  remember  what  I  have  done  for  the  country  of 
Cornwall,  and  in  what  jeopardy  I  have  been  in  for  the 
weal  of  you  all.  Fie  upon  thee,  said  Sir  Andred,  false 
traitor  that  thou  art,  with  thine  avaunting  ;  for  all  thy 
boast  thou  shalt  die  this  day  ;  and  therewith  he  drew  his 
sword,  and  would  have  slain  him. 

When  Sir  Tristram  saw  him  make  such  countenance 
he  looked  upon  both  his  hands  that  were  fast  bounden 
unto  two  knights,  and  suddenly  he  pulled  them  both  to  him, 
and  unwrast  his  hands,  and  then  he  leapt  unto  his  cousin, 
Sir  Andred,  and  writhed  his  sword  out  of  his  hands  ;  then 
he  smote  Sir  Andred  that  he  fell  to  the  earth,  and  so  Sir 
Tristram  fought  till  that  he  had  killed  ten  knights.  So 
then  Sir  Tristram  gat  the  chapel  and  kept  it  mightily.  Then 
the  cry  was  great,  and  the  people  drew  fast  unto  Sir  Andred, 
mo  than  an  hundred.  When  Sir  Tristram  saw  the  people 
draw  unto  him,  he  brake  the  bars  of  a  window,  and  so 
he  leapt  out  and  fell  upon  the  crags  in  the  sea.  And  so  at 
that  time  Sir  Andred  nor  none  of  his  fellows  might  get  to 
him,  at  that  time. 


HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  ESCAPED  157 

So  when  Gouvernail,  and  Sir  Lambegus,  and  Sir  Sentraille 
de  Lushon,  that  were  Sir  Tristram's  men,  heard  he  was 
escaped  then  they  were  passing  glad  ;  and  on  the  rocks 
they  found  him,  and  with  towels  they  pulled  him  up.  And 
then  Sir  Tristram  asked  them  where  was  La  Beale  Isoud,  for 
he  weened  she  had  been  had  away  of  Andred's  people.  Sir, 
said  Gouvernail,  she  is  put  in  a  lazar-cote.  Alas,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  this  is  a  full  ungoodly  place  for  such  a  fair  lady, 
and  if  I  may  she  shall  not  be  long  there.  And  so  he  took  his 
men  and  went  thereas  was  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  fetched  her 
away,  and  brought  her  into  a  forest  to  a  fair  manor,  and 
Sir  Tristram  there  abode  with  her.  So  the  good  knight 
bade  his  men  go  from  him  :  For  at  this  time  I  may  not 
help  you.  So  they  departed  all  save  Gouvernail.  And 
so  upon  a  day  Sir  Tristram  went  into  the  forest  for  to  disport 
him,  and  then  it  happened  that  there  he  fell  asleep  ;  and 
there  came  a  man  that  Sir  Tristram  aforehand  had  slain  his 
brother,  and  when  this  man  had  found  him  he  shot  him 
through  the  shoulder  with  an  arrow,  and  Sir  Tristram  leapt 
up  and  killed  that  man.  And  in  the  meantime  it  was  told 
King  Mark  how  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale  Isoud  were 
in  that  same  manor,  and  as  soon  as  ever  he  might  thither 
he  came  with  many  knights  to  slay  Sir  Tristram.  And 
when  he  came  there  he  found  him  gone  ;  and  there  he 
took  La  Beale  Isoud  home  with  him,  and  kept  her  strait 
that  by  no  means  never  she  might  wit  nor  send  unto  Tris- 
tram, nor  he  unto  her.  And  then  when  Sir  Tristram  came 
toward  the  old  manor  he  found  the  track  of  many  horses, 
and  thereby  he  wist  his  lady  was  gone.  And  then  Sir 
Tristram  took  great  sorrow,  and  endured  with  great  pain 
long  time,  for  the  arrow  that  he  was  hurt  withal  was  en- 
venomed. 


158  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Then  by  the  mean  of  La  Beale  Isoud  a  lady  that  was 
cousin  unto  Dame  Bragwaine,  came  to  Sir  Tristram,  and 
told  him  that  he  might  not  be  whole  by  no  means.  For 
thy  lady,  La  Beale  Isoud,  may  not  help  thee,  therefore 
she  biddeth  you  haste  into  Brittany  to  King  Howel,  and 
there  ye  shall  find  his  daughter,  Isoud  la  Blanche  Mains, 
and  she  shall  help  thee.  Then  Sir  Tristram  and  Gouvernail 
gat  them  shipping,  and  so  sailed  into  Brittany.  And  when 
King  Howel  wist  that  it  was  Sir  Tristram  he  was  full  glad 
of  him.  Sir,  he  said,  I  am  come  into  this  country  to  have 
help  of  your  daughter,  for  it  is  told  me  that  there  is  none 
other  may  heal  me  but  she  ;  and  so  within  a  while  she 
healed  him. 

There  was  an  earl  that  hight  Grip,  and  this  earl  made 
great  war  upon  the  king,  and  put  the  king  to  the  worse, 
and  besieged  him.  And  on  a  time  Sir  Kehydius,  that  was 
son  to  King  Howel,  as  he  issued  out  he  was  sore  wounded, 
nigh  to  the  death.  Then  the  king  went  unto  Sir  Tristram, 
and  prayed  him  in  his  wars  to  help  him  :  For  my  son, 
Kehydius,  may  not  go  into  the  field.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
I  will  go  to  the  field  and  do  what  I  may.  Then  Sir  Tristram 
issued  out  of  the  town,  and  by  great  might  and  force  slew 
the  Earl  Grip  with  his  own  hands,  and  more  than  an  hundred 
knights  he  slew  that  day.  Then  King  Howel  embraced 
him  in  his  arms,  and  said  :  Sir  Tristram,  all  my  kingdom 
I  will  resign  to  thee.  God  defend,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for 
I  am  beholden  unto  you  for  your  daughter's  sake  to  do 
for  you. 


HOW  HE  RETURNED  TO  CORNWALL     159 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  WAS  MARRIED 
TO  KING  HOWEL'S  DAUGHTER, 
ISOUD  LA  BLANCHE  MAINS,  AND 
HOW  HE  RETURNED  TO  CORNWALL 
AND  OF  THE  LOVE  OF  SIR  KEHYDIUS 
FOR  LA  BEALE  ISOUD.  Then  by  the 
means  of  King  Howel  and  Kehydius  his  son, 
there  grew  great  love  betwixt  Isoud  and  Sir 
Tristram,  for  that  lady  was  both  good  and  fair,  and  a  woman 
of  noble  blood  and  fame.  And  for  because  Sir  Tristram  had 
such  cheer  and  riches,  and  all  other  pleasaunce  that  he  had, 
almost  he  had  forsaken  La  Beale  Isoud.  And  so  upon  a 
time  Sir  Tristram  agreed  to  wed  Isoud  la  Blanche  Mains. 
And  at  the  last  they  were  wedded,  and  solemnly  held  their 
marriage. 

But  when  La  Beale  Isoud  understood  that  he  was  wedded 
she  sent  to  him  by  her  maiden  Bragwaine  as  piteous  letters  as 
could  be  thought  and  made,  and  her  conclusion  was  that, 
an  it  pleased  Sir  Tristram,  that  he  would  come  to  her  court, 
and  bring  with  him  Isoud  la  Blanche  Mains,  and  they 
should  be  kept  as  well  as  she  herself.  Then  Sir  Tristram 
called  unto  him  Sir  Kehydius,  and  asked  him  whether  he 
would  go  with  him  into  Cornwall  secretly.  He  answered 
him  that  he  was  ready  at  all  times.  And  then  he  let  ordain 
privily  a  little  vessel,  and  therein  they  went,  Sir  Tristram, 
Kehydius,  Dame  Bragwaine,  and  Gouvernail,  Sir  Tristram's 
squire,  and  so  they  sailed  into  Cornwall.  And  by  assent 
and  information  of  Dame  Bragwaine  when  they  were  landed 
they  rode  unto  Sir  Dinas,  the  Seneschal,  a  trusty  friend  of 
Sir  Tristram's.  And  so  Dame  Bragwaine  and  Sir  Dinas 
rode  to  the  court  of  King  Mark,  and  told  the  queen,  La 
Beale  Isoud,  that  Sir  Tristram  was  nigh  her  in  that  country. 


160  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Then  for  very  pure  joy  La  Beale  Isoud  swooned  ;  and  when 
she  might  speak  she  said  :  Gentle  knight  Seneschal,  help 
that  I  might  speak  with  him,  outher  my  heart  will  brast. 
Then  Sir  Dinas  and  Dame  Bragwaine  brought  Sir  Tristram 
and  Kehydius  privily  unto  the  court,  unto  a  chamber  whereas 
La  Beale  Isoud  had  assigned  it  ;  and  to  tell  the  joy  that 
was  betwixt  La  Beale  Isoud  and  Sir  Tristram,  there  is  no 
tongue  can  tell  it,  nor  heart  think  it,  nor  pen  write  it.  And 
as  the  French  book  maketh  mention,  at  the  first  time  that 
ever  Sir  Kehydius  saw  La  Beale  Isoud  he  was  so  enamoured 
upon  her  that  for  very  pure  love  he  might  never  withdraw  it. 
And  then  privily  he  wrote  unto  her  letters  and  ballads  of  the 
most  goodliest  that  were  used  in  those  days.  And  when 
La  Beale  Isoud  understood  his  letters  she  had  pity  of  his 
complaint,  and  unavised  she  wrote  another  letter  to  comfort 
him  withal. 

And  Sir  Tristram  was  all  this  while  in  a  turret  at  the 
commandment  of  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  when  she  might 
she  came  unto  Sir  Tristram.  So  on  a  day  King  Mark 
played  at  the  chess  under  a  chamber  window  ;  and  at  that 
time  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Kehydius  were  within  the  chamber 
over  King  Mark,  and  as  it  mishapped  Sir  Tristram  found 
the  letter  that  Kehydius  sent  unto  La  Beale  Isoud,  also  he 
had  found  the  letter  that  she  wrote  unto  Kehydius,  and  at 
that  same  time  La  Beale  Isoud  was  in  the  same  chamber. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  came  unto  La  Beale  Isoud  and  said  : 
Madam,  here  is  a  letter  that  was  sent  unto  you,  and  here  is 
the  letter  that  ye  sent  unto  him  that  sent  you  that  letter. 
Alas,  Madam,  the  good  love  that  I  have  loved  you  ;  and 
many  lands  and  riches  have  I  forsaken  for  your  love,  and 
now  ye  are  a  traitress  to  me,  the  which  doth  me  great  pain. 
But  as  for  thee,  Sir  Kehydius,  I  brought  thee  out  of  Brittany 


SIR  TRISTRAM  DEPARTS  FROM  TINTAGIL    161 

into  this  country,  and  thy  father,  King  Howel,  I  won  his 
lands,  howbeit  I  wedded  thy  sister  Isoud  la  Blanche  Mains 
for  the  goodness  she  did  unto  me ;  but  wit  thou  well, 
Sir  Kehydius,  for  this  falsehood  and  treason  thou  hast  done 
me,  I  will  revenge  it  upon  thee.  And  therewithal  Sir 
Tristram  drew  out  his  sword  and  said  :  Sir  Kehydius,  keep 
thee,  and  then  La  Beale  Isoud  swooned  to  the  earth.  And 
when  Sir  Kehydius  saw  Sir  Tristram  come  upon  him  he 
saw  none  other  remedy,  but  leapt  out  at  a  bay-window  even 
over  the  head  where  sat  King  Mark  playing  at  the  chess. 
And  when  the  king  saw  one  come  hurling  over  his  head  he 
said  :  Fellow,  what  art  thou,  and  what  is  the  cause  thou 
leapest  out  at  that  window  ?  My  lord  the  king,  said  Kehy- 
dius, it  fortuned  me  that  I  was  asleep  in  the  window  above 
your  head,  and  as  I  slept  I  slumbered,  and  so  I  fell  down. 
And  thus  Sir  Kehydius  excused  him. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  DEPARTED  FROM 
TINTAGIL,  AND  HOW  HE  SORROWED 
AND  WAS  SO  LONG  IN  A  FOREST  TILL 
HE  WAS  OUT  OF  HIS  MIND,  AND  IT  WAS  NOISED 
THAT  HE  WAS  DEAD,  AND  HOW  LA  BEALE 
ISOUD  WOULD  HAVE  SLAIN  HERSELF.  Then 
Sir  Tristram  dread  sore  lest  he  were  discovered  unto  the 
king  that  he  was  there  ;  wherefore  he  drew  him  to  the 
strength  of  the  Tower,  and  armed  him  in  such  armour  as 
he  had  for  to  fight  with  them  that  would  withstand  him. 
And  so  when  Sir  Tristram  saw  there  was  no  resistance  against 
him  he  sent  Gouvernail  for  his  horse  and  his  spear,  and 
knighdy  he  rode  forth  out  of  the  casde  openly,  that  was 
called  the  Casde  of  Tintagil. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  made  great  sorrow,  and  upon  a  night 


r62  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

he  put  his  horse  from  him,  and  then  he  unlaced  his  armour, 
and  then  Sir  Tristram  would  go  into  the  wilderness,  and 
brast  down  the  trees  and  boughs.  Thus  he  there  endured 
a  quarter  of  a  year.  And  then  was  he  naked  and  waxed 
lean  and  poor  of  flesh  ;  and  so  he  fell  in  the  fellowship  of 
herdmen  and  shepherds,  and  daily  they  would  give  him 
some  of  their  meat  and  drink.  And  when  he  did  any 
shrewd  deed  they  would  beat  him  with  rods,  and  so  they 
clipped  him  with  shears  and  made  him  like  a  fool. 

And  upon  a  day  Dagonet,  King  Arthur's  fool,  came  into 
Cornwall  with  two  squires  with  him  ;  and  as  they  rode 
through  that  forest  they  came  by  a  fair  well  where  Sir 
Tristram  was  wont  to  be  ;  and  the  weather  was  hot,  and 
they  alighted  to  drink  of  that  well,  and  in  the  meanwhile 
their  horses  brake  loose.  Right  so  Sir  Tristram  came  unto 
them,  and  first  he  soused  Sir  Dagonet  in  that  well,  and  after 
his  squires,  and  thereat  laughed  the  shepherds  ;  and  forth- 
withal  he  ran  after  their  horses  and  brought  them  again 
one  by  one,  and  right  so,  wet  as  they  were,  he  made  them 
leap  up  and  ride  their  ways. 

Now  Sir  Dagonet  deemed  that  the  shepherds  had  sent  that 
fool  to  array  them  so,  because  that  they  laughed  at  them, 
and  so  they  rode  unto  the  keepers  of  beasts  and  all  to-beat 
them.  Sir  Tristram  saw  them  beat  that  were  wont  to  give 
him  meat  and  drink,  then  he  ran  thither  and  gat  Sir  Dagonet 
by  the  head,  and  gave  him  such  a  fall  to  the  earth  that  he 
bruised  him  sore  so  that  he  lay  still.  And  then  he  wrast 
his  sword  out  of  his  hand,  and  therewith  he  ran  to  one  of 
his  squires  and  smote  off  his  head,  and  the  other  fled.  And 
so  Sir  Tristram  took  his  way  with  that  sword  in  his  hand, 
running  as  he  had  been  wild  wood.  Then  Sir  Dagonet 
rode  to  King  Mark  and  told  him  how  he  had  sped  in  that 


SIR  TRISTRAM  NOISED  TO  BE  DEAD      163 

forest.  And  therefore,  said  Sir  Dagonet,  beware,  King 
Mark,  that  thou  come  not  about  that  well  in  the  forest,  for 
there  is  a  fool  naked,  and  that  fool  and  I  fool  met  together, 
and  he  had  almost  slain  me.  Ah,  said  King  Mark,  that  is 
Sir  Matto  le  Breune,  that  fell  out  of  his  wit  because  he  lost 
his  lady  ;  for  when  Sir  Gaheris  smote  down  Sir  Matto  and 
won  his  lady  of  him,  never  since  was  he  in  his  mind,  and 
that  was  pity,  for  he  was  a  good  knight. 

Then  Sir  Andred,  that  was  cousin  unto  Sir  Tristram, 
made  a  lady  that  was  his  paramour  to  say  and  to  noise  it 
that  she  was  with  Sir  Tristram  or  ever  he  died.  And  this 
tale  she  brought  unto  King  Mark's  court,  that  she  buried 
him  by  a  well,  and  that  or  he  died  he  besought  King  Mark 
to  make  his  cousin,  Sir  Andred,  king  of  the  country  of 
Liones,  of  the  which  Sir  Tristram  was  lord  of.  All  this 
did  Sir  Andred  because  he  would  have  had  Sir  Tristram's 
lands.  And  when  King  Mark  heard  tell  that  Sir  Tristram 
was  dead  he  wept  and  made  great  dole.  But  when  Queen 
Isoud  heard  of  these  tidings  she  made  such  sorrow  that  she 
was  nigh  out  of  her  mind  ;  and  so  upon  a  day  she  thought 
to  slay  herself  and  never  to  live  after  Sir  Tristram's  death. 
And  so  upon  a  day  La  Beale  Isoud  gat  a  sword  privily  and 
bare  it  into  her  garden,  and  there  she  pight  the  sword  through 
a  plum  tree  up  to  the  hilt,  so  that  it  stuck  fast,  and  it  stood 
breast  high.  And  as  she  would  have  run  upon  the  sword 
and  to  have  slain  herself  all  this  espied  King  Mark,  how  she 
kneeled  down  and  said  :  Sweet  Lord  Jesu,  have  mercy 
upon  me,  for  I  may  not  live  after  the  death  of  Sir  Tristram 
de  Liones,  for  he  was  my  first  love  and  he  shall  be  the  last. 
And  with  these  words  came  King  Mark  and  took  her  in  his 
arms,  and  then  he  took  up  the  sword,  and  bare  her  away 
with  him  into  a  tower  ;    and  there  he  made  her  to  be  kept, 


i64  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

and  watched  her  surely,  and  after  that  she  lay  long  sick, 
nigh  at  the  point  of  death. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  SLEW  THE  GIANT 
TAULEAS,  AND  HOW  KING  MARK  FOUND 
SIR  TRISTRAM  NAKED,  AND  CAUSED 
HIM  TO  BE  BORNE  TO  TINTAGIL,  AND  HOW 
HE  WAS  KNOWN  BY  A  BRACHET  AND  WAS 
BANISHED  FROM  CORNWALL  FOR  THE  TERM 
OF  TEN  YEARS.  This  meanwhile  ran  Sir  Tristram 
naked  in  the  forest  with  the  sword  in  his  hand,  and  so 
he  came  to  an  hermitage,  and  there  he  laid  him  down 
and  slept  ;  and  in  the  meanwhile  the  hermit  stole  away 
his  sword,  and  laid  meat  down  by  him.  Thus  was  he 
kept  there  a  ten  days ;  and  at  the  last  he  departed  and 
came  to  the  herdmen  again.  And  there  was  a  giant 
in  that  country  that  hight  Tauleas,  and  for  fear  of  Sir 
Tristram  more  than  seven  year  he  durst  never  much  go  at 
large,  but  for  the  most  part  he  kept  him  in  a  sure  castle 
of  his  own  ;  and  so  this  Tauleas  heard  tell  that  Sir  Tristram 
was  dead,  by  the  noise  of  the  court  of  King  Mark.  Then 
this  Tauleas  went  daily  at  large.  And  so  he  happed  upon 
a  day  he  came  to  the  herdmen  wandering  and  langering, 
and  there  he  set  him  down  to  rest  among  them.  The 
meanwhile  there  came  a  knight  of  Cornwall  that  led  a  lady 
with  him,  and  his  name  was  Sir  Dinant  ;  and  when  the  giant 
saw  him  he  went  from  the  herdmen  and  hid  him  under  a 
tree,  and  so  the  knight  came  to  that  well,  and  there  he 
alighted  to  repose  him.  And  as  soon  as  he  was  from  his 
horse  this  giant  Tauleas  came  betwixt  this  knight  and  his 
horse,  and  took  the  horse  and  leapt  upon  him.  So  forth- 
with he  rode  unto  Sir  Dinant  and  took  him  by  the  collar, 


SIR  TRISTRAM  SLAYS  TAULEAS  165 

and  pulled  him  afore  him  upon  his  horse,  and  there  would 
have  stricken  off  his  head.  Then  the  herdmen  said  unto 
Sir  Tristram  :  Help  yonder  knight.  Help  ye  him,  said 
Sir  Tristram.  We  dare  not,  said  the  herdmen.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  was  ware  of  the  sword  of  the  knight  thereas  it 
lay  ;  and  so  thither  he  ran  and  took  up  the  sword  and 
struck  off  Sir  Tauleas'  head,  and  so  he  went  his  way  to  the 
herdmen. 

Then  the  knight  took  up  the  giant's  head  and  bare  it 
with  him  unto  King  Mark,  and  told  him  what  adventure 
betid  him  in  the  forest,  and  how  a  naked  man  rescued 
him  from  the  grimly  giant,  Tauleas.  Where  had  ye  this 
adventure  ?  said  King  Mark.  Forsooth,  said  Sir  Dinant, 
at  the  fair  fountain  in  your  forest  where  many  adventurous 
knights  meet,  and  there  is  the  mad  man.  Well,  said  King 
Mark,  I  will  see  that  wild  man.  So  within  a  day  or  two 
King  Mark  commanded  his  knights  and  his  hunters  that 
they  should  be  ready  on  the  morn  for  to  hunt,  and  so  upon 
the  morn  he  went  unto  that  forest.  And  when  the  king 
came  to  that  well  he  found  there  lying  by  that  well  a  fair 
naked  man,  and  a  sword  by  him.  Then  King  Mark  blew 
and  straked,  and  therewith  his  knights  came  to  him  ;  and 
then  the  king  commanded  his  knights  to  :  Take  that  naked 
man  with  fairness,  and  bring  him  to  my  castle.  So  they 
did  safely  and  fair,  and  cast  mantles  upon  Sir  Tristram, 
and  so  led  him  unto  Tintagil  ;  and  there  they  bathed  him, 
and  washed  him,  and  gave  him  hot  suppings  till  they  had 
brought  him  well  to  his  remembrance  ;  but  all  this  while 
there  was  no  creature  that  knew  Sir  Tristram,  nor  what 
man  he  was. 

So  it  fell  upon  a  day  that  the  queen,  La  Beale  Isoud, 
heard  of  such  a  man,  that  ran  naked  in  the  forest,  and  how 


1 66  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

the  king  had  brought  him  home  to  the  court.  Then  La 
Beale  Isoud  called  unto  her  Dame  Bragwaine  and  said  : 
Come  on  with  me,  for  we  will  go  see  this  man  that  my  lord 
brought  from  the  forest  the  last  day.  So  they  passed  forth, 
and  asked  where  was  the  sick  man.  And  then  a  squire 
told  the  queen  that  he  was  in  the  garden  taking  his  rest, 
and  reposing  him  against  the  sun. 

Then  the  queen  had  always  a  little  brachet  with  her 
that  Sir  Tristram  gave  her  the  first  time  that  ever  she  came 
into  Cornwall,  and  never  would  that  brachet  depart  from 
her  but  if  Sir  Tristram  was  nigh  thereas  was  La  Beale  Isoud  ; 
and  this  brachet  was  sent  from  the  king's  daughter  of  France 
unto  Sir  Tristram  for  great  love.  And  anon  as  this  little 
brachet  felt  a  savour  of  Sir  Tristram,  she  leapt  upon  him 
and  licked  his  lears  and  his  ears,  and  then  she  whined  and 
quested,  and  she  smelled  at  his  feet  and  at  his  hands,  and 
on  all  parts  of  his  body  that  she  might  come  to.  Ah,  my 
lady,  said  Dame  Bragwaine  unto  La  Beale  Isoud.  Alas,  alas, 
said  she,  I  see  it  is  mine  own  lord,  Sir  Tristram.  And 
thereupon  Isoud  fell  down  in  a  swoon,  and  so  lay  a  great 
while.  And  when  she  might  speak  she  said  :  My  lord  Sir 
Tristram,  blessed  be  God  ye  have  your  life,  and  now  I 
am  sure  ye  shall  be  discovered  by  this  little  brachet,  for 
she  will  never  leave  you.  And  also  I  am  sure  as  soon  as 
my  lord,  King  Mark,  do  know  you  he  will  banish  you 
out  of  the  country  of  Cornwall,  or  else  he  will  destroy  you  ; 
for  God's  sake,  mine  own  lord,  grant  King  Mark  his  will, 
and  then  draw  you  unto  the  court  of  King  Arthur,  for 
there  are  ye  beloved,  and  ever  when  I  may  I  shall  send  unto 
you  ;  and  when  ye  list  ye  may  come  to  me,  and  at  all  times 
early  and  late  I  will  be  at  your  commandment,  to  live  as 
poor  a  life  as  ever  did  queen  or  lady.     O  Madam,  said  Sir 


•1 


■■ 


e  her  the 
wall,  and  nev 
.:  t  it  Sir  Tristram  i 

O 

m  the 

How  Tristram  was  known  by  the  little  brachet  in  the  garden  of 
King  Mark's  castle. 

To  face  page  166. 


1 


then 
re  are  ye  br 

and  when  y  11  times 

ind  late  I  to  live  as 


HOW  KING  MARK  FOUND  SIR  TRISTRAM    167 

Tristram,  go  from  me,  for  mickle  anger  and  danger  have 
I  escaped  for  your  love. 

Then  the  queen  departed,  but  the  brachet  would  not 
from  him  ;  and  therewithal  came  King  Mark,  and  the 
brachet  set  upon  him,  and  bayed  at  them  all.  Therewithal 
Sir  Andred  spake  and  said  :  Sir,  this  is  Sir  Tristram,  I  see 
by  the  brachet.  Nay,  said  the  king,  I  cannot  suppose  that. 
Then  the  king  asked  him  upon  his  faith  what  he  was,  and 
what  was  his  name.  So  God  me  help,  said  he,  my  name 
is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones  ;  now  do  by  me  what  ye  list. 
Ah,  said  King  Mark,  me  repenteth  of  your  recovery.  And 
then  he  let  call  his  barons  to  judge  Sir  Tristram  to  the  death. 
Then  many  of  his  barons  would  not  assent  thereto,  and  in 
especial  Sir  Dinas,  the  Seneschal,  and  Sir  Fergus.  And 
so  by  the  advice  of  them  all  Sir  Tristram  was  banished  out 
of  the  country  for  ten  year,  and  thereupon  he  took  his  oath 
upon  a  book  before  the  king  and  his  barons.  And  so  he 
was  made  to  depart  out  of  the  country  of  Cornwall  ;  and 
there  were  many  barons  brought  him  unto  his  ship,  of  the 
which  some  were  his  friends  and  some  his  foes.  And  in 
the  meanwhile  there  came  a  knight  of  King  Arthur's,  his 
name  was  Dinadan,  and  his  coming  was  for  to  seek  after 
Sir  Tristram  ;  then  they  showed  him  where  he  was  armed 
at  all  points  going  to  the  ship.  Now  fair  knight,  said  Sir 
Dinadan,  ere  ye  pass  this  court  that  ye  will  joust  with  me 
I  require  thee.  With  a  good  will,  said  Sir  Tristram,  an 
these  lords  will  give  me  leave.  Then  the  barons  granted 
thereto,  and  so  they  ran  together,  and  there  Sir  Tristram 
gave  Sir  Dinadan  a  fall.  And  then  he  prayed  Sir  Tristram 
to  give  him  leave  to  go  in  his  fellowship.  Ye  shall  be  right 
welcome,  said  then  Sir  Tristram. 

And  so  they  took  their  horses  and  rode  to  their  ships 

N 


168  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

together,  and  when  Sir  Tristram  was  in  the  sea  he  said  : 
Greet  well  King  Mark  and  all  mine  enemies,  and  say  them 
I  will  come  again  when  I  may  ;  and  well  am  I  rewarded 
for  the  fighting  with  Sir  Marhaus,  and  delivered  all  this 
country  from  servage  ;  and  well  am  I  rewarded  for  the 
fetching  and  costs  of  Queen  Isoud  out  of  Ireland,  and  the 
danger  that  I  was  in  first  and  last ;  and  well  am  I  rewarded 
when  I  fought  with  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis  for  King  Anguish, 
father  unto  La  Beale  Isoud  ;  and  well  am  I  rewarded  when 
I  smote  down  the  good  knight,  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  at 
King  Mark's  request ;  and  well  am  I  rewarded  for  the  slay- 
ing of  Tauleas,  the  mighty  giant,  and  many  other  deeds 
have  I  done  for  him,  and  now  have  I  my  warison.  And 
tell  King  Mark  that  many  noble  knights  of  the  Table 
Round  have  spared  the  barons  of  this  country  for  my  sake. 
And  forthwithal  he  took  the  sea. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR 
DINADAN  FOUGHT  FOR  SIR 
LAUNCELOT  AGAINST  THIRTY 
KNIGHTS,  AND  HOW  SIR  TRIS- 
TRAM RODE  TO  A  TOURNA- 
MENT AND  LODGED  WITH  AN 
OLD  KNIGHT  NAMED  SIR  PEL- 
LOUNES,  AND  OF  THE  JOUSTING  BEFORE  THE 
TOURNAMENT.  And  at  the  next  landing,  fast  by  the 
sea,  there  met  with  Sir  Tristram  and  with  Sir  Dinadan,  Sir 
Ector  de  Maris  and  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis ;  and  there  Sir  Ector 
jousted  with  Sir  Dinadan,  and  he  smote  him  and  his  horse 
down.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  would  have  jousted  with  Sir 
Bors,  and  Sir  Bors  said  that  he  would  not  joust  with  no  Cornish 
knights,  for  they  are  not  called  men  of  worship  ;  and  all  this 


A  DAMOSEL  ASKS  FOR  TRISTRAM'S  HELP    169 

was  done  upon  a  bridge.  And  with  this  came  Sir  Bleoberis 
and  Sir  Driant,  and  Sir  Bleoberis  proffered  to  joust  with 
Sir  Tristram,  and  there  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  Sir  Bleo- 
beris. Then  said  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis :  I  wist  never  Cornish 
knight  of  so  great  valour  nor  so  valiant  as  that  knight  that 
beareth  the  trappings  embroidered  with  crowns.  And 
then  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Dinadan  departed  from  them 
into  a  forest,  and  there  met  them  a  damosel  that  came  for 
the  love  of  Sir  Launcelot  to  seek  after  some  noble  knights 
of  King  Arthur's  court  for  to  rescue  Sir  Launcelot.  And 
so  Sir  Launcelot  was  ordained  for,  by  the  treason  of  Queen 
Morgan  le  Fay  to  have  slain  Sir  Launcelot,  and  for  that 
cause  she  ordained  thirty  knights  to  lie  in  await  for  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  this  damosel  knew  this  treason.  And  for 
this  cause  the  damosel  came  for  to  seek  noble  knights  to 
help  Sir  Launcelot.  For  that  night,  or  the  day  after,  Sir 
Launcelot  should  come  where  these  thirty  knights  were. 
And  so  this  damosel  met  with  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Ector  and 
with  Sir  Driant,  and  there  she  told  them  all  four  of  the 
treason  of  Morgan  le  Fay  ;  and  then  they  promised  her 
that  they  would  be  nigh  where  Sir  Launcelot  should  meet 
with  the  thirty  knights.  And  if  so  be  they  set  upon  him 
we  will  do  rescues  as  we  can. 

So  the  damosel  departed,  and  by  adventure  the  damosel 
met  with  Sir  Tristram  and  with  Sir  Dinadan,  and  there 
the  damosel  told  them  all  the  treason  that  was  ordained 
for  Sir  Launcelot.  Fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Tristram,  bring 
me  to  that  same  place  where  they  should  meet  with  Sir 
Launcelot. 

So  then  anon  these  thirty  knights  came  fast  by  these 
four  knights,  and  they  were  ware  of  them,  and  either  of 
other.     And  so  these  thirty  knights  let  them  pass,  for  this 


i  jo  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

cause,  that  they  would  not  wrath  them,  if  case  be  that  they 
had  ado  with  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  the  four  knights  let  them 
pass  to  this  intent,  that  they  would  see  and  behold  what 
they  would  do  with  Sir  Launcelot.  And  so  the  thirty 
knights  passed  on  and  came  by  Sir  Tristram  and  by  Sir 
Dinadan,  and  then  Sir  Tristram  cried  on  high  :  Lo,  here 
is  a  knight  against  you  for  the  love  of  Sir  Launcelot.  And 
there  he  slew  two  with  one  spear  and  ten  with  his  sword. 
And  then  came  in  Sir  Dinadan  and  he  did  passing  well, 
and  so  of  the  thirty  knights  there  went  but  ten  away,  and 
they  fled.  All  this  battle  saw  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  and  his 
three  fellows,  and  then  they  saw  well  it  was  the  same  knight 
that  jousted  with  them  at  the  bridge  ;  then  they  took  their 
horses  and  rode  unto  Sir  Tristram,  and  praised  him  and 
thanked  him  of  his  good  deeds,  and  they  all  desired  Sir 
Tristram  to  go  with  them  to  their  lodging  ;  and  he  said  : 
Nay,  he  would  not  go  to  no  lodging.  Then  they  all  four 
knights  prayed  him  to  tell  them  his  name.  Fair  lords,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  as  at  this  time  I  will  not  tell  you  my  name. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Dinadan  rode  forth  their  way, 
and  came  to  a  lodging  two  mile  thence  with  a  good  man 
in  a  priory,  and  there  they  were  well  at  ease.  And  that 
same  night  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Bleoberis,  and  Sir  Ector  and 
Sir  Driant,  abode  still  in  the  same  place  thereas  Sir  Tristram 
fought  with  the  thirty  knights  ;  and  there  they  met  with 
Sir  Launcelot  the  same  night,  and  had  made  promise  to 
lodge  with  Sir  Colgrevance  the  same  night. 

But  anon  as  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  heard  of 
the  shield  of  Cornwall,  then  wist  he  well  that  it  was  Sir 
Tristram  that  fought  with  his  enemies.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  praised  Sir  Tristram,  and  called  him  the  man 
of  most  worship  in  the  world.     Then  Sir  Tristram  departed 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  PERSIDES    171 

and  left  Sir  Dinadan  in  the  priory,  for  he  was  so  weary  and 
so  sore  bruised  that  he  might  not  ride.  And  on  the  next 
day  following  Sir  Tristram  met  with  pursuivants,  and  they 
told  him  that  there  was  made  a  great  cry  of  tournament 
between  King  Carados  of  Scotland  and  the  King  of  North 
Wales,  and  either  should  joust  against  other  at  the  Casde 
of  Maidens  ;  and  these  pursuivants  sought  all  the  country 
after  the  good  knights,  and  in  especial  King  Carados  let 
make  seeking  for  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and  the  King  of 
Northgalis  let  seek  after  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones.  And  at 
that  time  Sir  Tristram  thought  to  be  at  that  jousts.  And 
then  Sir  Tristram  took  his  horse  and  sought  lodging,  and 
there  he  met  with  a  good  ancient  knight  and  prayed  him 
to  lodge  with  him.  So  this  old  knight's  name  was  Sir 
Pellounes,  and  he  told  of  the  great  tournament  that  should 
be  at  the  Castle  of  Maidens.  And  there  Sir  Launcelot 
and  thirty-two  knights  of  his  blood  had  ordained  shields 
of  Cornwall.  And  right  so  there  came  one  unto  Sir 
Pellounes,  and  told  him  that  Sir  Persides  de  Bloise  was 
come  home  ;  then  that  knight  held  up  his  hands  and  thanked 
God  of  his  coming  home.  And  there  Sir  Pellounes  told 
Sir  Tristram  that  in  two  years  he  had  not  seen  his  son,  Sir 
Persides.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  know  your  son  well 
enough  for  a  good  knight. 

So  on  a  time  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Persides  came  to 
their  lodging  both  at  once,  and  so  they  unarmed  them, 
and  put  upon  them  their  clothing.  And  then  these  two 
knights  each  welcomed  other.  And  when  Sir  Persides 
understood  that  Sir  Tristram  was  of  Cornwall,  he  said  he 
was  once  in  Cornwall  :  And  there  I  jousted  afore  King 
Mark  ;  and  so  it  happed  me  at  that  time  to  overthrow 
ten  knights,  and  then  came  to  me  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones 


172  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

and  overthrew  me,  and  took  my  lady  away  from  me,  and 
that  shall  I  never  forget,  but  I  shall  remember  me  an  ever 
I  see  my  time.  Ah,  said  Sir  Tristram,  now  I  understand 
that  ye  hate  Sir  Tristram.  What  deem  ye,  ween  ye  that 
Sir  Tristram  is  not  able  to  withstand  your  malice  ?  Yes, 
said  Sir  Persides,  I  know  well  that  Sir  Tristram  is  a  noble 
knight  and  a  much  better  knight  than  I,  yet  shall  I  not 
owe  him  my  good  will.  Right  as  they  stood  thus  talking 
at  a  bay-window  of  that  castle,  they  saw  many  knights 
riding  to  and  fro  toward  the  tournament.  And  then  was 
Sir  Tristram  ware  of  a  likely  knight  riding  upon  a  great 
black  horse,  and  a  black-covered  shield.  What  knight 
is  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  with  the  black  horse  and  the 
black  shield  ?  he  seemeth  a  good  knight.  I  know  him 
well,  said  Sir  Persides,  he  is  one  of  the  best  knights  of  the 
world.  Then  is  it  Sir  Launcelot,  said  Tristram.  Nay, 
said  Sir  Persides,  it  is  Sir  Palomides,  that  is  yet  unchristened. 
Then  they  saw  much  people  of  the  country  salute  Sir 
Palomides.  And  within  a  while  after  there  came  a  squire 
of  the  castle,  that  told  Sir  Pellounes  that  was  lord  of  that 
castle,  that  a  knight  with  a  black  shield  had  smitten  down 
thirteen  knights.  Fair  brother,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto 
Sir  Persides,  let  us  cast  upon  us  cloaks,  and  let  us  go  see 
the  play.  Not  so,  said  Sir  Persides,  we  will  not  go  like 
knaves  thither,  but  we  will  ride  like  men  and  good  knights 
to  withstand  our  enemies.  So  they  armed  them,  and  took 
their  horses  and  great  spears,  and  thither  they  went  thereas 
many  knights  assayed  themselves  before  the  tournament. 
And  anon  Sir  Palomides  saw  Sir  Persides,  and  then  he  sent 
a  squire  unto  him  and  said  :  Go  thou  to  the  yonder  knight 
with  the  green  shield  and  therein  a  lion  of  gold,  and  say 
him  I  require  him  to  joust  with  me,  and  tell  him  that  my 


HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  HAD  A  FALL       173 

name  is  Sir  Palomides.  When  Sir  Persides  understood 
that  request  of  Sir  Palomides,  he  made  him  ready,  and  there 
anon  they  met  together,  but  Sir  Persides  had  a  fall.  Then 
Sir  Tristram  dressed  him  to  be  revenged  upon  Sir  Palomides, 
and  that  saw  Sir  Palomides  that  was  ready  and  so  was  not 
Sir  Tristram,  and  took  him  at  an  advantage  and  smote  him 
over  his  horse's  tail  when  he  had  no  spear  in  his  rest.  Then 
stert  up  Sir  Tristram  and  took  his  horse  lightly,  and  was 
wroth  out  of  measure,  and  sore  ashamed  of  that  fall.  Then 
Sir  Tristram  sent  unto  Sir  Palomides  by  Gouvernail,  and 
prayed  him  to  joust  with  him  at  his  request.  Nay,  said 
Sir  Palomides,  as  at  this  time  I  will  not  joust  with  that 
knight,  for  I  know  him  better  than  he  weeneth.  And  if 
he  be  wroth  he  may  right  it  to-morn  at  the  Castle  of  Maidens, 
where  he  may  see  me  and  many  other  knights. 

With  that  came  Sir  Dinadan,  and  when  he  saw  Sir 
Tristram  wroth  he  list  not  to  jape.  Lo,  said  Sir  Dinadan, 
here  may  a  man  prove,  be  a  man  never  so  good  yet  may 
he  have  a  fall,  and  he  was  never  so  wise  but  he  might  be 
overseen,  and  he  rideth  well  that  never  fell.  So  Sir  Tristram 
was  passing  wroth,  and  said  to  Sir  Persides  and  to  Sir  Dina- 
dan :  I  will  revenge  me.  Right  so  as  they  stood  talking 
there,  there  came  by  Sir  Tristram  a  likely  knight  riding 
passing  soberly  and  heavily  with  a  black  shield.  What 
knight  is  that  ?  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Sir  Persides.  I 
know  him  well,  said  Sir  Persides,  for  his  name  is  Sir  Briant 
of  North  Wales  ;  so  he  passed  on  among  other  knights  of 
North  Wales.  And  there  came  in  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake 
with  a  shield  of  the  arms  of  Cornwall,  and  he  sent  a  squire 
unto  Sir  Briant,  and  required  him  to  joust  with  him.  Well, 
said  Sir  Briant,  sithen  I  am  required  to  joust  I  will  do  what 
I  may  ;    and  there  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  Sir  Briant 


174  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

from  his  horse  a  great  fall.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  marvelled 
what  knight  he  was  that  bare  the  shield  of  Cornwall.  What- 
soever he  be,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  I  warrant  you  he  is  of  King 
Ban's  blood,  the  which  be  knights  of  the  most  noble  prowess 
in  the  world,  for  to  account  so  many  for  so  many.  Then 
there  came  two  knights  of  Northgalis,  that  one  hight  Hew 
de  la  Montaine,  and  the  other  Sir  Madok  de  la  Montaine, 
and  they  challenged  Sir  Launcelot  foot-hot.  Sir  Launcelot 
not  refusing  them  but  made  him  ready,  with  one  spear  he 
smote  them  down  both  over  their  horses'  croups  ;  and  so 
Sir  Launcelot  rode  his  way.  By  the  good  lord,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  he  is  a  good  knight  that  beareth  the  shield  of 
Cornwall,  and  meseemeth  he  rideth  in  the  best  manner 
that  ever  I  saw  knight  ride. 

Then  the  King  of  Northgalis  rode  unto  Sir  Palomides 
and  prayed  him  heartily  for  his  sake  to  joust  with  that 
knight  that  hath  done  us  of  Northgalis  despite.  Sir,  said 
Sir  Palomides,  I  am  full  loath  to  have  ado  with  that  knight, 
and  cause  why  is,  for  as  to-morn  the  great  tournament  shall 
be  ;  and  therefore  I  will  keep  myself  fresh  by  my  will. 
Nay,  said  the  King  of  Northgalis,  I  pray  you  require  him 
of  jousts.  Sir,  said  Sir  Palomides,  I  will  joust  at  your 
request,  and  require  that  knight  to  joust  with  me,  and  often 
I  have  seen  a  man  have  a  fall  at  his  own  request. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  JOUSTED  WITH 
PALOMIDES  AND  OVERTHREW  HIM,  AND 
AFTER  HE  WAS  ASSAILED  WITH  TWELVE 
KNIGHTS.  Then  Sir  Palomides  sent  unto  Sir  Launcelot  a 
squire,  and  required  him  of  jousts.  Fair  fellow,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  tell  me  thy  lord's  name.  Sir,  said  the  squire,  my 
lord's  name  is  Sir  Palomides,  the  good  knight.     In  good 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  SIR  PALOMIDES    175 

hour,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  there  is  no  knight  that  I  saw 
this  seven  years  that  I  had  liefer  have  ado  withal  than  with 
him.  And  so  either  knights  made  them  ready  with  two 
great  spears.  Nay,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  ye  shall  see  that  Sir 
Palomides  will  quit  him  right  well.  It  may  be  so,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  but  I  undertake  that  knight  with  the  shield  of 
Cornwall  shall  give  him  a  fall.  I  believe  it  not,  said  Sir 
Dinadan.  Right  so  they  spurred  their  horses  and  feutred 
their  spears,  and  either  hit  other,  and  Sir  Palomides  brake 
a  spear  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  he  sat  and  moved  not  ; 
but  Sir  Launcelot  smote  him  so  lightly  that  he  made  his 
horse  to  avoid  the  saddle,  and  the  stroke  brake  his  shield 
and  the  hauberk,  and  had  he  not  fallen  he  had  been  slain. 
How  now,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  wist  well  by  the  manner  of 
their  riding  both  that  Sir  Palomides  should  have  a  fall. 

Right  so  Sir  Launcelot  rode  his  way,  and  rode  to  a 
well  to  drink  and  to  repose  him,  and  they  of  Northgalis 
espied  him  whither  he  rode  ;  and  then  there  followed  him 
twelve  knights  for  to  have  mischieved  him,  for  this  cause 
that  upon  the  morn  at  the  tournament  of  the  Casde  of 
Maidens  that  he  should  not  win  the  victory.  So  they  came 
upon  Sir  Launcelot  suddenly,  and  unnethe  he  might  put 
upon  him  his  helm  and  take  his  horse,  but  they  were  in 
hands  with  him  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  gat  his  spear, 
and  rode  through  them,  and  there  he  slew  a  knight  and 
brake  a  spear  in  his  body.  Then  he  drew  his  sword  and 
smote  upon  the  right  hand  and  upon  the  left  hand,  so  that 
within  a  few  strokes  he  had  slain  other  three  knights,  and 
the  remnant  that  abode  he  wounded  them  sore,  all  that  did 
abide.  Thus  Sir  Launcelot  escaped  from  his  enemies  of 
North  Wales,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  rode  his  way  to  a 
friend,  and  lodged  him  till  on  the  morn  ;   for  he  would  not 


176  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

the  first  day  have  ado  in  the  tournament  because  of  his 
great  labour.  And  on  the  first  day  he  was  with  King 
Arthur,  there  as  he  was  set  on  high  upon  a  scaffold  to  discern 
who  was  best  worthy  of  his  deeds.  So  Sir  Launcelot  was 
with  King  Arthur,  and  jousted  not  the  first  day. 

OF  THE  TOURNAMENT  AT  THE 
CASTLE  OF  MAIDENS,  AND  OF  HOW 
SIR  TRISTRAM,  SIR  PALOMIDES, 
AND  SIR  LAUNCELOT  BEHAVED 
THEM.  Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Tristram 
de  Liones,  that  commanded  Gouvernail,  his 
servant,  to  ordain  him  a  black  shield  with  none  other  re- 
membrance therein.  And  so  Sir  Persides  and  Sir  Tristram 
departed  from  their  host  Sir  Pellounes,  and  they  rode 
early  toward  the  tournament,  and  then  they  drew  them 
to  King  Carados'  side,  of  Scotland  ;  and  anon  knights  began 
the  field  what  of  King  Northgalis'  part,  and  what  of  King 
Carados'  part,  and  there  began  great  party.  Then  there  was 
hurling  and  rashing.  Right  so  came  in  Sir  Persides  and  Sir 
Tristram,  and  so  they  did  fare  that  they  put  the  King  of  North- 
galis aback.  Then  came  in  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis  and  Sir 
Gaheris  with  them  of  Northgalis,  and  then  was  Sir  Persides 
smitten  down  and  almost  slain,  for  more  than  forty  horse- 
men went  over  him.  For  Sir  Bleoberis  did  great  deeds  of 
arms,  and  Sir  Gaheris  failed  him  not.  When  Sir  Tristram 
beheld  them,  and  saw  them  do  such  deeds  of  arms,  he 
marvelled  what  they  were.  Also  Sir  Tristram  thought 
shame  that  Sir  Persides  was  so  done  to  ;  and  then  he  gat 
a  great  spear  in  his  hand,  and  then  he  rode  to  Sir  Gaheris 
and  smote  him  down  from  his  horse.  And  then  was  Sir 
Bleoberis  wroth,  and  gat  a  spear  and  rode  against  Sir  Tris- 


THE  TOURNEY  AT  MAIDENS'  CASTLE    177 

tram  in  great  ire  ;  and  there  Sir  Tristram  met  with  him, 
and  smote  Sir  Bleoberis  from  his  horse.  So  then  the  King 
with  the  Hundred  Knights  was  wroth,  and  he  horsed  Sir 
Bleoberis  and  Sir  Gaheris  again,  and  there  began  a  great 
medley  ;  and  ever  Sir  Tristram  held  them  passing  short, 
and  ever  Sir  Bleoberis  was  passing  busy  upon  Sir  Tristram  ; 
and  there  came  Sir  Dinadan  against  Sir  Tristram,  and  Sir 
Tristram  gave  him  such  a  buffet  that  he  swooned  in  his 
saddle.  Then  anon  Sir  Dinadan  came  to  Sir  Tristram  and 
said  :  Sir,  I  know  thee  better  than  thou  weenest  ;  but 
here  I  promise  thee  my  troth  I  will  never  come  against 
thee  more,  for  I  promise  thee  that  sword  of  thine  shall  never 
come  on  mine  helm. 

With  that  came  Sir  Bleoberis,  and  Sir  Tristram  gave 
him  such  a  buffet  that  down  he  laid  his  head  ;  and  then 
he  raught  him  so  sore  by  the  helm  that  he  pulled  him  under 
his  horse's  feet.  And  then  King  Arthur  blew  to  lodging. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  departed  to  his  pavilion,  and  Sir  Dinadan 
rode  with  him  ;  and  Sir  Persides  and  King  Arthur  then, 
and  the  kings  upon  both  parties,  marvelled  what  knight 
that  was  with  the  black  shield.  Many  said  their  advice, 
and  some  knew  him  for  Sir  Tristram,  and  held  their  peace 
and  would  nought  say.  So  that  first  day  King  Arthur, 
and  all  the  kings  and  lords  that  were  judges,  gave  Sir  Tris- 
tram the  prize  ;  howbeit  they  knew  him  not,  but  named 
him  the  Knight  with  the  Black  Shield. 

Then  upon  the  morn  Sir  Palomides  returned  from  the 
King  of  Northgalis,  and  rode  to  King  Arthur's  side,  where 
was  King  Carados,  and  the  King  of  Ireland,  and  Sir  Launce- 
lot's  kin,  and  Sir  Gawaine's  kin.  Then  will  I  be  with  the 
King  of  Northgalis,  said  Sir  Tristram,  because  Sir  Palomides 
will  be  on  King  Arthur's  side,  and  else  I  would  not  but  for 


178  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

his  sake.  So  when  King  Arthur  was  come  they  blew  unto 
the  field  ;  and  then  there  began  a  great  party,  and  so  King 
Carados  jousted  with  the  King  of  the  Hundred  Knights, 
and  there  King  Carados  had  a  fall :  then  was  there  hurling 
and  rashing,  and  right  so  came  in  knights  of  King  Arthur's, 
and  they  bare  aback  the  King  of  Northgalis'  knights. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  came  in,  and  began  so  roughly  and 
so  bigly  that  there  was  none  might  withstand  him,  and 
thus  Sir  Tristram  dured  long.  And  at  the  last  Sir  Tristram 
fell  among  the  fellowship  of  King  Ban,  and  there  fell  upon 
him  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  and  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and  Sir 
Blamore  de  Ganis,  and  many  other  knights.  And  then 
Sir  Tristram  smote  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand, 
that  all  lords  and  ladies  spake  of  his  noble  deeds.  But  at 
the  last  Sir  Tristram  should  have  had  the  worse  had  not 
the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights  been.  And  then  he 
came  with  his  fellowship  and  rescued  Sir  Tristram,  and 
brought  him  away  from  those  knights  that  bare  the  shields 
of  Cornwall.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  saw  another  fellowship 
by  themselves,  and  there  were  a  forty  knights  together,  and 
Sir  Kay,  the  Seneschal,  was  their  governor.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  rode  in  amongst  them,  and  there  he  smote  down 
Sir  Kay  from  his  horse  ;  and  there  he  fared  among  those 
knights  like  a  greyhound  among  conies. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  found  a  knight  that  was  sore  wounded 
upon  the  head.  Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  who  wounded 
you  so  sore  ?  Sir,  he  said,  a  knight  that  beareth  a  black 
shield,  and  I  may  curse  the  time  that  ever  I  met  with  him, 
for  he  is  a  devil  and  no  man.  So  Sir  Launcelot  departed 
from  him  and  thought  to  meet  with  Sir  Tristram,  and  so 
he  rode  with  his  sword  drawn  in  his  hand  to  seek  Sir  Tris- 
tram ;    and  then  he  espied  him  how  he  hurled  here  and 


TRISTRAM  HELPS  LAUNCELOT'S  KIN     179 

there,  and  at  every  stroke  Sir  Tristram  well-nigh  smote 
down  a  knight.  O  mercy  !  said  the  king,  sith  the  times 
I  bare  arms  saw  I  never  no  knight  do  so  marvellous 
deeds  of  arms.  And  if  I  should  set  upon  this  knight,  said 
Sir  Launcelot  to  himself,  I  did  shame  to  myself,  and  there- 
withal Sir  Launcelot  put  up  his  sword.  And  then  the  King 
with  the  Hundred  Knights  and  an  hundred  more  of  North 
Wales  set  upon  the  twenty  of  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  :  and  they 
twenty  knights  held  them  ever  together  as  wild  swine,  and 
none  would  fail  other.  And  so  when  Sir  Tristram  beheld 
the  noblesse  of  these  twenty  knights  he  marvelled  of  their 
good  deeds,  for  he  saw  by  their  fare  and  by  their  rule  that 
they  had  liefer  die  than  avoid  the  field.  Now  truly,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  well  may  he  be  valiant  and  full  of  prowess  that 
hath  such  a  sort  of  noble  knights  unto  his  kin,  and  full  like 
is  he  to  be  a  noble  man  that  is  their  leader  and  governor. 
He  meant  it  by  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  So  when  Sir 
Tristram  had  beholden  them  long  he  thought  shame  to  see 
two  hundred  knights  battering  upon  twenty  knights.  Then 
Sir  Tristram  rode  unto  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights 
and  said  :  Sir,  leave  your  fighting  with  those  twenty  knights, 
for  ye  win  no  worship  of  them,  ye  be  so  many  and  they  so 
few  ;  and  wit  ye  well  they  will  not  out  of  the  field  I  see  by 
their  cheer  and  countenance  ;  and  worship  get  ye  none 
an  ye  slay  them.  Therefore  leave  your  fighting  with  them, 
for  I,  to  increase  my  worship,  I  will  ride  to  the  twenty  knights 
and  help  them  with  all  my  might  and  power.  Nay,  said 
the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  ye  shall  not  do  so  ; 
now  I  see  your  courage  and  courtesy  I  will  withdraw  my 
knights  for  your  pleasure,  for  evermore  a  good  knight 
will  favour  another,  and  like  will  draw  to  like. 

Then  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights  withdrew 


180  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

his  knights.  And  all  this  while,  and  long  to-fore,  Sir 
Launcelot  had  watched  upon  Sir  Tristram  with  a  very 
purpose  to  have  fellowshipped  with  him.  And  then  sud- 
denly Sir  Tristram,  Sir  Dinadan,  and  Gouvernail,  his  man, 
rode  their  way  into  the  forest,  that  no  man  perceived  where 
they  went.  So  then  King  Arthur  blew  unto  lodging,  and 
gave  the  King  of  Northgalis  the  prize  because  Sir  Tristram 
was  upon  his  side.  And  upon  the  morn  the  king  blew  unto 
the  tournament  upon  the  third  day. 

So  the  King  of  Northgalis  and  the  King  with  the 
Hundred  Knights,  they  two  encountered  with  King 
Carados  and  with  the  King  of  Ireland  ;  and  there  the 
King  with  the  Hundred  Knights  smote  down  King  Carados, 
and  the  King  of  Northgalis  smote  down  the  King  of  Ireland. 
With  that  came  in  Sir  Palomides,  and  when  he  came  he 
made  great  work,  for  by  his  indented  shield  he  was  well 
known.  So  came  in  King  Arthur,  and  did  great  deeds  of 
arms  together,  and  put  the  King  of  Northgalis  and  the 
King  with  the  Hundred  Knights  to  the  worse.  With  this 
came  in  Sir  Tristram  with  his  black  shield,  and  anon  he 
jousted  with  Sir  Palomides,  and  there  by  fine  force  Sir 
Tristram  smote  Sir  Palomides  over  his  horse's  croup.  Then 
King  Arthur  cried  :  Knight  with  the  Black  Shield,  make 
thee  ready  to  me,  and  in  the  same  wise  Sir  Tristram  smote 
King  Arthur.  And  then  by  force  of  King  Arthur's  knights 
the  King  and  Sir  Palomides  were  horsed  again.  Then 
King  Arthur  with  a  great  eager  heart  he  gat  a  spear  in  his 
hand,  and  there  upon  the  one  side  he  smote  Sir  Tristram 
over  his  horse.  Then  foot-hot  Sir  Palomides  came  upon 
Sir  Tristram,  as  he  was  upon  foot,  to  have  overridden  him. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  was  ware  of  him,  and  there  he  stooped 
aside,  and  with  great  ire  he  gat  him  by  the  arm,  and  pulled 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  KING  ARTHUR    181 

him  down  from  his  horse.  Then  Sir  Palomides  lightly 
arose,  and  then  they  dashed  together  mightily  with  their 
swords  ;  and  many  kings,  queens,  and  lords,  stood  and 
beheld  them.  And  at  the  last  Sir  Tristram  smote  Sir 
Palomides  upon  the  helm  three  mighty  strokes,  and  at 
every  stroke  that  he  gave  him  he  said  :  This  for  Sir  Tris- 
tram's sake.  With  that  Sir  Palomides  fell  to  the  earth 
grovelling. 

Then  came  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  and 
brought  Sir  Tristram  an  horse,  and  so  was  he  horsed  again. 
By  then  was  Sir  Palomides  horsed,  and  with  great  ire  he 
jousted  upon  Sir  Tristram  with  his  spear  as  it  was  in  the 
rest,  and  gave  him  a  great  dash  with  his  sword.  Then 
Sir  Tristram  avoided  his  spear,  and  gat  him  by  the  neck 
with  his  both  hands,  and  pulled  him  clean  out  of  his  saddle, 
and  so  he  bare  him  afore  him  the  length  of  ten  spears,  and 
then  in  the  presence  of  them  all  he  let  him  fall  at  his  adven- 
ture. Then  Sir  Tristram  was  ware  of  King  Arthur  with 
a  naked  sword  in  his  hand,  and  with  his  spear  Sir  Tristram 
ran  upon  King  Arthur  ;  and  then  King  Arthur  boldly 
abode  him  and  with  his  sword  he  smote  a-two  his  spear, 
and  therewithal  Sir  Tristram  stonied  ;  and  so  King  Arthur 
gave  him  three  or  four  strokes  or  he  might  get  out  his 
sword,  and  at  the  last  Sir  Tristram  drew  his  sword  and 
either  assailed  other  passing  hard.  With  that  the  great 
press  departed  them.  Then  Sir  Tristram  rode  here  and 
there  and  did  his  great  pain,  that  eleven  of  the  good  knights 
of  the  blood  of  King  Ban,  that  was  of  Sir  Launcelot's  kin, 
that  day  Sir  Tristram  smote  down,  that  all  the  estates 
marvelled  of  his  great  deeds  and  all  cried  upon  the  Knight 
with  the  Black  Shield. 

Then  this  cry  was  so  large  that  Sir  Launcelot  heard  it. 


1 82  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

And  then  he  gat  a  great  spear  in  his  hand  and  came  towards 
the  cry.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  cried  :  The  Knight  with 
the  Black  Shield,  make  thee  ready  to  joust  with  me.  When 
Sir  Tristram  heard  him  say  so  he  gat  his  spear  in  his  hand, 
and  either  abashed  down  their  heads,  and  came  together 
as  thunder  ;  and  Sir  Tristram's  spear  brake  in  pieces,  and 
Sir  Launcelot  by  malfortune  struck  Sir  Tristram  on  the  side 
a  deep  wound  nigh  to  the  death  ;  but  yet  Sir  Tristram 
avoided  not  his  saddle,  and  so  the  spear  brake.  Therewithal 
Sir  Tristram  that  was  wounded  gat  out  his  sword,  and  he 
rushed  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  gave  him  three  great  strokes 
upon  the  helm  that  the  fire  sprang  thereout,  and  Sir  Launce- 
lot abashed  his  head  lowly  toward  his  saddle-bow.  And 
therewithal  Sir  Tristram  departed  from  the  field,  for  he 
felt  him  so  wounded  that  he  weened  he  should  have  died  ; 
and  Sir  Dinadan  espied  him  and  followed  him  into  the 
forest.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  abode  and  did  many  marvellous 
deeds. 

So  when  Sir  Tristram  was  departed  by  the  forest's  side 
he  alighted,  and  unlaced  his  harness  and  freshed  his  wound  ; 
then  weened  Sir  Dinadan  that  he  should  have  died.  Nay, 
nay,  said  Sir  Tristram,  Dinadan  never  dread  thee,  for  I 
am  heart-whole,  and  of  this  wound  I  shall  soon  be  whole, 
by  the  mercy  of  God.  By  that  Sir  Dinadan  was  ware  where 
came  Palomides  riding  straight  upon  them.  And  then 
Sir  Tristram  was  ware  that  Sir  Palomides  came  to  have 
destroyed  him.  And  so  Sir  Dinadan  gave  him  warning, 
and  said  :  Sir  Tristram,  my  lord,  ye  are  so  sore  wounded 
that  ye  may  not  have  ado  with  him,  therefore  I  will  ride 
against  him  and  do  to  him  what  I  may,  and  if  I  be  slain  ye 
may  pray  for  my  soul  ;  and  in  the  meanwhile  ye  may 
withdraw  you  and  go  into  the  castle,  or  in  the  forest,  that 


HOW  TRISTRAM  SMOTE  PALOMIDES      183 

he  shall  not  meet  with  you.  Sir  Tristram  smiled  and  said  : 
I  thank  you,  Sir  Dinadan,  of  your  good  will,  but  ye  shall 
wit  that  I  am  able  to  handle  him.  And  then  anon  hastily 
he  armed  him,  and  took  his  horse,  and  a  great  spear  in  his 
hand,  and  said  to  Sir  Dinadan  :  Adieu  ;  and  rode  toward 
Sir  Palomides  a  soft  pace.  Then  when  Sir  Palomides  saw 
that,  he  made  countenance  to  amend  his  horse,  but  he  did 
it  for  this  cause,  for  he  abode  Sir  Gaheris  that  came  after 
him.  And  when  he  was  come  he  rode  toward  Sir  Tristram. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  sent  unto  Sir  Palomides,  and  required 
him  to  joust  with  him  ;  and  if  he  smote  down  Sir  Palomides 
he  would  do  no  more  to  him  ;  and  if  it  so  happened  that 
Sir  Palomides  smote  down  Sir  Tristram,  he  bade  him  do 
his  utterance.  So  they  were  accorded.  Then  they  met 
together,  and  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  Sir  Palomides  that 
he  had  a  grievous  fall,  so  that  he  lay  still  as  he  had  been  dead. 
And  then  Sir  Tristram  ran  upon  Sir  Gaheris,  and  he  would 
not  have  jousted  ;  but  whether  he  would  or  not  Sir  Tristram 
smote  him  over  his  horse's  croup,  that  he  lay  still  as  though 
he  had  been  dead.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  rode  his  way 
and  left  Sir  Persides'  squire  within  the  pavilions,  and  Sir 
Tristram  and  Sir  Dinadan  rode  to  an  old  knight's  place  to 
lodge  them.  And  that  old  knight  had  five  sons  at  the  tourna- 
ment, for  whom  he  prayed  God  heartily  for  their  coming 
home. 

And  when  Sir  Tristram  departed  into  the  forest  Sir 
Launcelot  held  alway  the  stour  like  hard,  as  a  man  araged 
that  took  no  heed  to  himself,  and  wit  ye  well  there  was 
many  a  noble  knight  against  him.  And  when  King  Arthur 
saw  Sir  Launcelot  do  so  marvellous  deeds  of  arms  he  then 
armed  him,  and  took  his  horse  and  his  armour,  and  rode 
into  the  field  to  help  Sir  Launcelot  ;    and  so  many  knights 

o 


1 84  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

came  in  with  King  Arthur.  And  to  make  short  tale  in 
conclusion,  the  King  of  Northgalis  and  the  King  of  the 
Hundred  Knights  were  put  to  the  worse  ;  and  because  Sir 
Launcelot  abode  and  was  the  last  in  the  field  the  prize  was 
given  him.  But  Sir  Launcelot  would  neither  for  king, 
queen,  nor  knight,  have  the  prize,  but  where  the  cry  was 
cried  through  the  field  :  Sir  Launcelot,  Sir  Launcelot  hath 
won  the  field  this  day,  Sir  Launcelot  let  make  another  cry 
contrary  :  Sir  Tristram  hath  won  the  field,  for  he  began 
first,  and  last  he  hath  endured,  and  so  hath  he  done  the 
first  day,  the  second,  and  the  third  day. 

Then  all  the  estates  and  degrees  high  and  low  said  of  Sir 
Launcelot  great  worship,  for  the  honour  that  he  did  unto 
Sir  Tristram  ;  and  for  that  honour  doing  to  Sir  Tristram 
he  was  at  that  time  more  praised  and  renowned  than  an  he 
had  overthrown  five  hundred  knights  ;  and  all  the  people 
wholly  for  this  gentleness,  first  the  estates  both  high  and 
low,  and  after  the  commonalty  cried  at  once  :  Sir  Launcelot 
hath  won  the  field,  whosoever  say  nay.  Then  was  Sir 
Launcelot  wroth  and  ashamed,  and  so  therewithal  he  rode 
to  King  Arthur.  Alas,  said  the  king,  we  are  all  dismayed 
that  Sir  Tristram  is  thus  departed  from  us.  He  is  one  of 
the  noblest  knights  that  ever  I  saw  hold  spear  or  sword  in 
hand,  and  the  most  courteoust  knight  in  his  fighting.  Then 
King  Arthur,  Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Dodinas  le  Savage  took 
their  horses  to  seek  Sir  Tristram,  and  Sir  Persides  had  told 
King  Arthur  where  Sir  Tristram  was  in  his  pavilion.  But 
when  they  came  there,  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Dinadan  were 
gone. 

Then  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  were  heavy,  and 
returned  again  to  the  Castle  of  Maidens  making  great  dole 
for  the  hurt  of  Sir  Tristram,  and  his  sudden  departing. 


OF  THE  RAGE  OF  SIR  PALOMIDES        185 

OF  THE  RAGE  OF  SIR  PALO- 
MIDES FOR  DESPITE  OF  SIR 
TRISTRAM,  AND  HOW  SIR  TRIS- 
TRAM, SIR  DINADAN,  AND  SIR 
PALOMIDES  LODGED  WITH  SIR 
DARRAS,  AND  HOW  SIR  DAR- 
RAS  PUT  THEM  IN  HIS  PRISON 
FOR  THE  DEATH  OF  HIS  SONS, 
BUT  AT  THE  LAST  HE  LET 
THEM  GO.  And  thus  we  let  pass  King  Arthur,  and  a  little 
we  will  turn  unto  Sir  Palomides,  that  after  he  had  a  fall  of 
Sir  Tristram,  he  was  nigh-hand  araged  out  of  his  wit  for 
despite  of  Sir  Tristram.  And  so  he  followed  him  by  adven- 
ture. And  as  he  came  by  a  river,  in  his  woodness  he  would 
have  made  his  horse  to  have  leapt  over  ;  and  the  horse  failed 
footing  and  fell  in  the  river,  wherefore  Sir  Palomides  was 
adread  lest  he  should  have  been  drowned  ;  and  then  he 
avoided  his  horse,  and  swam  to  the  land,  and  let  his  horse 
go  down  by  adventure. 

And  when  he  came  to  the  land  he  took  off  his  harness, 
and  sat  roaring  and  crying  as  a  man  out  of  his  mind.  Right 
so  came  a  damosel  even  by  Sir  Palomides,  that  was  sent 
from  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brother  unto  Sir  Mordred,  that 
lay  sick  in  the  same  place  with  that  old  knight  where  Sir 
Tristram  was.  For,  as  the  French  book  saith,  Sir  Persides 
hurt  so  Sir  Mordred  a  ten  days  afore  ;  and  had  it  not  been 
for  the  love  of  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brother,  Sir  Persides 
had  slain  Sir  Mordred.  And  so  this  damosel  came  by 
Sir  Palomides,  and  she  and  he  had  language  together,  the 
which  pleased  neither  of  them  ;  and  so  the  damosel  rode 
her  ways  till  she  came  to  the  old  knight's  place,  and  there 
she  told   that  old  knight  how  she  met  with  the  woodest 


186  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

knight  by  adventure  that  ever  she  met  withal.  What  bare 
he  in  his  shield  ?  said  Sir  Tristram.  It  was  indented  with 
white  and  black,  said  the  damosel.  Ah,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
that  was  Sir  Palomides,  the  good  knight.  For  well  I  know 
him,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  one  of  the  best  knights  living 
in  this  realm.  Then  that  old  knight  took  a  little  hackney, 
and  rode  for  Sir  Palomides,  and  brought  him  unto  his  own 
manor  ;  and  full  well  knew  Sir  Tristram  Sir  Palomides, 
but  he  said  but  little,  for  at  that  time  Sir  Tristram  was 
walking  upon  his  feet,  and  well  amended  of  his  hurts  ;  and 
always  when  Sir  Palomides  saw  Sir  Tristram  he  would 
behold  him  full  marvellously,  and  ever  him  seemed  that 
he  had  seen  him.  Then  would  he  say  unto  Sir  Dinadan  : 
An  ever  I  may  meet  with  Sir  Tristram  he  shall  not  escape 
mine  hands.  I  marvel,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  that  ye  boast 
behind  Sir  Tristram,  for  it  is  but  late  that  he  was  in  your 
hands,  and  ye  in  his  hands  ;  why  would  ye  not  hold  him 
when  ye  had  him  ?  for  I  saw  myself  twice  or  thrice  that 
ye  gat  but  little  worship  of  Sir  Tristram.  Then  was  Sir 
Palomides  ashamed. 

And  then  there  came  a  damosel  that  told  Sir  Darras 
that  three  of  his  sons  were  slain  at  that  tournament,  and 
two  grievously  wounded  that  they  were  never  like  to  help 
themself.  And  all  this  was  done  by  a  noble  knight  that 
bare  the  black  shield,  and  that  was  he  that  bare  the  prize. 
Then  came  there  one  and  told  Sir  Darras  that  the  same 
knight  was  within,  him  that  bare  the  black  shield.  Then 
Sir  Darras  went  unto  Sir  Tristram's  chamber,  and  there 
he  found  his  shield  and  showed  it  to  the  damosel.  Ah  sir, 
said  the  damosel,  that  same  is  he  that  slew  your  three  sons. 
Then  without  any  tarrying  Sir  Darras  put  Sir  Tristram,  and 
Sir  Palomides,  and  Sir  Dinadan,  within  a  strong  prison,  and 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  DARRAS     187 

there  Sir  Tristram  was  like  to  have  died  of  great  sickness  ; 
and  every  day  Sir  Palomides  would  reprove  Sir  Tristram 
of  old  hate  betwixt  them.  And  ever  Sir  Tristram  spake 
fair  and  said  litde.  So  Sir  Tristram  endured  there  great 
pain,  for  sickness  had  undertaken  him,  and  that  is  the 
greatest  pain  a  prisoner  may  have.  For  all  the  while  a 
prisoner  may  have  his  health  of  body  he  may  endure  under 
the  mercy  of  God  and  in  hope  of  good  deliverance  ;  but 
when  sickness  toucheth  a  prisoner's  body,  then  may  a 
prisoner  say  all  wealth  is  him  bereft,  and  then  he  hath  cause 
to  wail  and  to  weep.  Right  so  did  Sir  Tristram  when 
sickness  had  undertaken  him,  for  then  he  took  such  sorrow 
that  he  had  almost  slain  himself. 

So  a  damosel  came  in  to  them  and  found  them  mourning. 
Then  she  went  unto  Sir  Darras,  and  told  him  how  that 
mighty  knight  that  bare  the  black  shield  was  likely  to  die. 
That  shall  not  be,  said  Sir  Darras,  for  God  defend  when 
knights  come  to  me  for  succour  that  I  should  suffer  them 
to  die  within  my  prison.  Therefore,  said  Sir  Darras  to  the 
damosel,  fetch  that  knight  and  his  fellows  afore  me.  And 
then  anon  when  Sir  Darras  saw  Sir  Tristram  brought  afore 
him,  he  said  :  Sir  knight,  me  repenteth  of  thy  sickness, 
for  thou  art  called  a  full  noble  knight,  and  so  it  seemeth 
by  thee  ;  and  wit  ye  well  it  shall  never  be  said  that  Sir 
Darras  shall  destroy  such  a  noble  knight  as  thou  art  in 
prison,  howbeit  that  thou  hast  slain  three  of  my  sons,  whereby 
I  was  greatly  aggrieved.  But  now  shalt  thou  go  and  thy 
fellows,  and  your  harness  and  horses  have  been  fair  and 
clean  kept,  and  ye  shall  go  where  it  liketh  you,  upon  this 
covenant,  that  thou,  knight,  wilt  promise  me  to  be  good 
friend  to  my  sons  two  that  be  now  alive,  and  also  that  thou 
tell  me  thy  name.     Sir,  said  he,  as  for  me,  my  name  is  Sir 


188  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Tristram  de  Liones,  and  in  Cornwall  was  I  born,  and  nephew 
I  am  unto  King  Mark.  And  as  for  the  death  of  your  sons 
I  might  not  do  withal,  for  an  they  had  been  the  next  kin 
that  I  have  I  might  have  done  none  otherwise.  And  if  I 
had  slain  them  by  treason  or  treachery  I  had  been  worthy 
to  have  died.  All  this  I  consider,  said  Sir  Darras,  that  all 
that  ye  did  was  by  force  of  knighthood,  and  that  was  the 
cause  I  would  not  put  you  to  death.  But  sith  ye  be  Sir 
Tristram,  the  good  knight,  I  pray  you  heartily  to  be  my 
good  friend  and  to  my  sons.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  promise 
you  by  the  faith  of  my  body,  ever  while  I  live  I  will  do  you 
service,  for  ye  have  done  to  us  but  as  a  natural  knight  ought 
to  do.  Then  Sir  Tristram  reposed  him  there  till  that  he 
was  amended  of  his  sickness  ;  and  when  he  was  big  and 
strong  they  took  their  leave,  and  every  knight  took  their 
horses  and  so  departed  and  rode  together  till  they  came 
to  a  crossway.  Now  fellows,  said  Sir  Tristram,  here  will 
we  depart  in  sundry  ways. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  SAVED  SIR  PALO- 
MIDES'  LIFE,  AND  HOW  THEY  PROMISED 
TO  FIGHT  TOGETHER  WITHIN  A  FORT- 
NIGHT, AND  HOW  THEY  WERE  BOTH  SMITTEN 
DOWN  BY  A  STRONG  KNIGHT.  Then  in  every 
place  Sir  Tristram  asked  and  demanded  after  Sir  Launcelot, 
but  in  no  place  he  could  not  hear  of  him  whether  he 
were  dead  or  alive ;  wherefore  Sir  Tristram  made  great  dole 
and  sorrow.  So  Sir  Tristram  rode  by  a  forest,  and  then 
was  he  ware  of  a  fair  tower  by  a  marsh  on  that  one  side, 
and  on  that  other  side  a  fair  meadow.  And  there  he  saw 
ten  knights  fighting  together.  And  ever  the  nearer  he 
came  he  saw  how   there  was   but  one  knight  did   battle 


HOW  TRISTRAM  SAVED  PALOMIDES      189 

against  nine  knights  and  that  one  did  so  marvellously 
that  Sir  Tristram  had  great  wonder  that  ever  one  knight 
might  do  so  great  deeds  of  arms.  And  then  within  a  little 
while  he  had  slain  half  their  horses  and  unhorsed  them, 
and  their  horses  ran  in  the  fields  and  forest.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  had  so  great  pity  of  that  one  knight  that  endured 
so  great  pain,  and  ever  he  thought  it  should  be  Sir  Palomides, 
by  his  shield.  And  so  he  rode  unto  the  knights  and  cried 
unto  them,  and  bade  them  cease  of  their  battle,  for  they 
did  themselves  great  shame  so  many  knights  to  fight  with 
one.  Then  answered  the  master  of  those  knights,  his  name 
was  called  Breuse  Saunce  Pite,  that  was  at  that  time  the 
most  mischievoust  knight  living,  and  said  thus  :  Sir  knight, 
what  have  ye  ado  with  us  to  meddle  ?  and  therefore,  an  ye 
be  wise,  depart  on  your  way  as  ye  came,  for  this  knight 
shall  not  escape  us.  That  were  pity,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
that  so  good  a  knight  as  he  is  should  be  slain  so  cowardly  ; 
and  therefore  I  warn  you  I  will  succour  him  with  all  my 
puissance. 

So  Sir  Tristram  alighted  off  his  horse  because  they  were 
on  foot,  that  they  should  not  slay  his  horse,  and  then  dressed 
his  shield,  with  his  sword  in  his  hand,  and  he  smote  on  the 
right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand  passing  sore,  that  well- 
nigh  at  every  stroke  he  struck  down  a  knight.  And  when 
they  espied  his  strokes  they  fled  all  with  Breuse  Saunce 
Pite  unto  the  tower,  and  Sir  Tristram  followed  fast  after 
with  his  sword  in  his  hand,  but  they  escaped  into  the  tower, 
and  shut  Sir  Tristram  without  the  gate.  And  when  Sir 
Tristram  saw  this  he  returned  aback  unto  Sir  Palomides, 
and  found  him  sitting  under  a  tree  sore  wounded.  Ah, 
fair  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram,  well  be  ye  found.  Gramercy, 
said   Sir  Palomides,  of  your  great  goodness,  for  ye  have 


too  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

rescued  me  of  my  life,  and  saved  me  from  my  death.     What 
is  your  name  ?    said  Sir  Tristram.     He  said  :    My  name  is 
Sir  Palomides.     O  Jesu,  said  Sir  Tristram,  thou  hast  a  fair 
grace  of  me  this  day  that  I  should  rescue  thee,  and  thou 
art  the  man  in  the  world  that  I  most  hate  ;   but  now  make 
thee  ready,  for  I  will  do  battle  with  thee.     What  is  your 
name  ?  said  Sir  Palomides.     My  name  is  Sir  Tristram,  your 
mortal  enemy.     It  may  be  so,  said  Sir  Palomides  ;    but  ye 
have  done  over  much  for  me  this  day  that  I  should  fight 
with  you  ;    for  inasmuch  as  ye  have  saved  my  life  it  will 
be  no  worship  for  you  to  have  ado  with  me,  for  ye  are  fresh 
and  I  am  wounded  sore,  and  therefore,  an  ye  will  needs 
have  ado  with  me,  assign  me  a  day  and  then  I  shall  meet 
with  you  without  fail.     Ye  say  well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  now 
I  assign  you  to  meet  me  in  the  meadow  by  the  river  of 
Camelot,  where  Merlin  set  the  peron.     So  they  were  agreed. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  asked  Sir  Palomides  why  the  nine 
knights  did  battle  with  him.     For  this  cause,  said  Sir  Palo- 
mides ;    as  I  rode  upon  mine  adventures  in  a  forest  here 
beside  I  espied  where  lay  a  dead  knight,  and  a  lady  weeping 
beside  him.     And  when   I  saw  her  making  such  dole,   I 
asked  her  who  slew  her  lord.     Sir,  she  said,   the  falsest 
knight  of  the  world  now  living,  and  he  is  the  most  villain 
that  ever  man  heard  speak  of,  and  his  name  is  Sir  Breuse 
Saunce  Pite\     Then  for  pity  I  made  the  damosel  to  leap 
on  her  palfrey,  and  I  promised  her  to  be  her  warrant,  and 
to  help  her  to  inter  her  lord.     And  so,  suddenly,  as  I  came 
riding  by  this  tower,  there  came  out  Sir  Breuse  Saunce 
Pit6,  and  suddenly  he  struck  me  from  my  horse.     And 
then  or  I  might  recover  my  horse  this  Sir  Breuse  slew  the 
damosel.     And  so  I  took  my  horse  again,  and  I  was  sore 
ashamed,  and  so  began  the  medley  betwixt  us  :    and  this 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  PALOMIDES    191 

is  the  cause  wherefore  we  did  this  battle.  Well,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  now  I  understand  the  manner  of  your  batde, 
but  in  any  wise  have  remembrance  of  your  promise  that  ye 
have  made  with  me  to  do  battle  with  me  this  day  fortnight. 
I  shall  not  fail  you,  said  Sir  Palomides.  Well,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  as  at  this  time  I  will  not  fail  you  till  that  ye  be 
out  of  the  danger  of  your  enemies. 

So  they  mounted  upon  their  horses,  and  rode  together 
unto  that  forest,  and  there  they  found  a  fair  well,  with 
clear  water  burbling.  Fair  sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  to  drink 
of  that  water  have  I  courage  ;  and  then  they  alighted  off 
their  horses.  And  then  were  they  ware  by  them  where 
stood  a  great  horse  tied  to  a  tree,  and  ever  he  neighed. 
And  then  were  they  ware  of  a  fair  knight  armed,  under 
a  tree,  lacking  no  piece  of  harness,  save  his  helm  lay  under 
his  head.  By  the  good  lord,  said  Sir  Tristram,  yonder 
lieth  a  well-faring  knight  ;  what  is  best  to  do  ?  Awake 
him,  said  Sir  Palomides.  So  Sir  Tristram  awaked  him 
with  the  butt  of  his  spear.  And  so  the  knight  rose  up 
hastily  and  put  his  helm  upon  his  head,  and  gat  a  great 
spear  in  his  hand  ;  and  without  any  more  words  he  hurled 
unto  Sir  Tristram,  and  smote  him  clean  from  his  saddle  to 
the  earth,  and  hurt  him  on  the  left  side,  that  Sir  Tristram 
lay  in  great  peril.  Then  he  walloped  farther,  and  fetched 
his  course,  and  came  hurling  upon  Sir  Palomides,  and  there 
he  struck  him  a  part  through  the  body,  that  he  fell  from 
his  horse  to  the  earth.  And  then  this  strange  knight  left 
them  there,  and  took  his  way  through  the  forest.  With 
this  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Tristram  were  on  foot,  and  gat 
their  horses  again,  and  either  asked  counsel  of  other,  what 
was  best  to  do.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will 
follow  this  strong  knight  that  thus  hath  shamed  us.     Well, 


i92  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

said  Sir  Palomides,  and  I  will  repose  me  hereby  with  a 
friend  of  mine.  Beware,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Palomides, 
that  ye  fail  not  that  day  that  ye  have  set  with  me  to  do  batde, 
for,  as  I  deem,  ye  will  not  hold  your  day,  for  I  am  much 
bigger  than  ye.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Palomides,  be  it  as 
it  be  may,  for  I  fear  you  not,  for  an  I  be  not  sick  nor  prisoner, 
I  will  not  fail  you  ;  but  I  have  cause  to  have  much  more 
doubt  of  you  that  ye  will  not  meet  with  me,  for  ye  ride 
after  yonder  strong  knight.  And  if  ye  meet  with  him  it 
is  an  hard  adventure  an  ever  ye  escape  his  hands.  Right 
so  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  departed,  and  either 
took  their  ways  diverse. 

And  by  fortune  in  a  meadow  Sir  Tristram  met  with  Sir 
Kay,  the  Seneschal,  and  Sir  Dinadan.  What  tidings  with 
you,  said  Sir  Tristram,  with  you  knights  ?  Not  good,  said 
these  knights.  Why  so  ?  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  I  pray  you 
tell  me,  for  I  ride  to  seek  a  knight.  What  cognisance 
beareth  he  ?  said  Sir  Kay.  He  beareth,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
a  covered  shield  close  with  cloth.  By  my  head,  said  Sir 
Kay,  that  is  the  same  knight  that  met  with  us,  for  this  night 
we  were  lodged  within  a  widow's  house,  and  there  was 
that  knight  lodged  ;  and  when  he  wist  we  were  of  Arthur's 
court  he  spoke  great  villainy  by  the  king,  and  specially  by 
the  Queen  Guenever,  and  then  on  the  morn  was  waged 
battle  with  him  for  that  cause.  And  at  the  first  recounter, 
said  Sir  Kay,  he  smote  me  down  from  my  horse  and  hurt 
me  passing  sore  ;  and  when  my  fellow,  Sir  Dinadan,  saw 
me  smitten  down  and  hurt  he  would  not  revenge  me,  but 
fled  from  me  ;  and  thus  he  departed.  And  then  Sir  Tris- 
tram asked  them  their  names,  and  so  either  told  other  their 
names.  And  so  Sir  Tristram  departed  from  Sir  Kay,  and 
from  Sir  Dinadan,  and  so  he  passed  through  a  great  forest 


HOW  TRISTRAM  SMOTE  SAGRAMORE    193 

into  a  plain,  till  he  was  ware  of  a  priory,  and  there  he  reposed 
him  with  a  good  man  six  days.  And  then  he  sent  his  man 
that  hight  Gouvernail,  and  commanded  him  to  go  to  a  city 
thereby  to  fetch  him  new  harness  ;  for  it  was  long  time 
afore  that  that  Sir  Tristram  had  been  refreshed,  his  harness 
was  brised  and  broken.  And  when  Gouvernail,  his  servant, 
was  come  with  his  apparel,  he  mounted  upon  his  horse,  and 
rode  his  way  early  on  the  morn.  And  by  sudden  adventure 
Sir  Tristram  met  with  Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous,  and  with 
Sir  Dodinas  le  Savage.  And  these  two  knights  met  with  Sir 
Tristram  and  questioned  with  him,  and  asked  him  if  he  would 
joust  with  them.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Tristram,  with  a  good 
will  I  would  joust  with  you,  but  I  have  promised  at  a  day  set, 
near  hand,  to  do  battle  with  a  strong  knight ;  and  therefore 
I  am  loath  to  have  ado  with  you,  for  an  it  misfortuned  me 
here  to  be  hurt  I  should  not  be  able  to  do  my  battle  which 
I  promised.  As  for  that,  said  Sagramore,  maugre  your 
head,  ye  shall  joust  with  us  or  ye  pass  from  us.  Well,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  if  ye  enforce  me  thereto  I  must  do  what  I 
may.  And  then  they  dressed  their  shields,  and  came  running 
together  with  great  ire.  But  through  Sir  Tristram's  great 
force  he  struck  Sir  Sagramore  from  his  horse.  Then  he 
hurled  his  horse  farther,  and  said  to  Sir  Dodinas  :  Knight, 
make  thee  ready  ;  and  so  through  fine  force  Sir  Tristram 
struck  Dodinas  from  his  horse.  And  when  he  saw  them 
lie  on  the  earth  he  took  his  bridle,  and  rode  forth  on  his 
way,  and  his  man  Gouvernail  with  him. 


i94  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 


fw^fyyvi  how  sir  tristram  met  at  the 

PERON  WITH  SIR  LAUNCELOT,  AND 
HOW    THEY    FOUGHT    TOGETHER 

UNKNOWN,  AND  HOW  SIR  LAUN- 
CELOT BROUGHT  SIR  TRISTRAM 
TO  THE  COURT,  AND  OF  THE  GREAT 
JOY  THAT  THE  KING  AND  OTHER  MADE  FOR 
THE  COMING  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM.  Then  departed 
Sir  Tristram  and  rode  straight  unto  Camelot,  to  the  peron 
that  Merlin  had  made  to-fore,  where  Sir  Lanceor,  that 
was  the  king's  son  of  Ireland,  was  slain  by  the  hands  of 
Balin.  And  in  that  same  place  was  the  fair  lady  Colombe 
slain,  that  was  love  unto  Sir  Lanceor  ;  for  after  he  was 
dead  she  took  his  sword  and  thrust  it  through  her  body. 
And  by  the  craft  of  Merlin  he  made  to  inter  this  knight, 
Lanceor,  and  his  lady,  Colombe,  under  one  stone.  And 
at  that  time  Merlin  prophesied  that  in  that  same  place 
should  fight  two  the  best  knights  that  ever  were  in  Arthur's 
days,  and  the  best  lovers.  So  when  Sir  Tristram  came  to 
the  tomb  where  Lanceor  and  his  lady  were  buried  he  looked 
about  him  after  Sir  Palomides.  Then  was  he  ware  of  a 
seemly  knight  came  riding  against  him  all  in  white,  with 
a  covered  shield.  When  he  came  nigh  Sir  Tristram  he  said 
on  high  :  Ye  be  welcome,  sir  knight,  and  well  and  truly 
have  ye  holden  your  promise.  And  then  they  dressed 
their  shields  and  spears,  and  came  together  with  all  their 
might  of  their  horses  ;  and  they  met  so  fiercely  that  both 
their  horses  and  knights  fell  to  the  earth,  and  as  fast  as  they 
might  avoided  their  horses,  and  put  their  shields  afore 
them  ;  and  they  struck  together  with  bright  swords,  as 
men  that  were  of  might,  and  either  wounded  other  wonderly 
sore,   that  the  blood  ran  out  upon   the  grass.     And   thus 


HOW  TRISTRAM  FOUGHT  LAUNCELOT    195 

they  fought  the  space  of  four  hours,  that  never  one  would 
speak  to  other  one  word,  and  of  their  harness  they  had 
hewn  off  many  pieces.  I  marvel  greatly  of  the  strokes  my 
master  hath  given  to  your  master,  said  Gouvernail.  By  my 
head,  said  Sir  Launcelot's  servant,  your  master  hath  not  given 
so  many  but  your  master  has  received  as  many  or  more.  So 
they  stood  and  wept  both,  and  made  great  dole  when  they 
saw  the  bright  swords  over-covered  with  blood  of  their 
bodies. 

Then  at  the  last  spake  Sir  Launcelot  and  said  :  Knight, 
thou  fightest  wonderly  well  as  ever  I  saw  knight,  therefore, 
an  it  please  you,  tell  me  your  name.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
that  is  me  loath  to  tell  any  man  my  name.  Truly,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  an  I  were  required  I  was  never  loath  to  tell  my 
name.  It  is  well  said,  said  Sir  Tristram,  then  I  require 
you  to  tell  me  your  name  ?  Fair  knight,  he  said,  my  name 
is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Alas,  said  Sir  Tristram,  what 
have  I  done  !  for  ye  are  the  man  in  the  world  that  I  love 
best.  Fair  knight,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  tell  me  your  name  ? 
Truly,  said  he,  my  name  is  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones.  O 
Jesu,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  what  adventure  is  befallen  me  ! 
And  therewith  Sir  Launcelot  kneeled  down  and  yielded 
him  up  his  sword.  And  therewith  Sir  Tristram  kneeled 
adown,  and  yielded  him  up  his  sword.  And  so  either 
gave  other  the  degree.  And  then  they  both  forthwithal 
went  to  the  stone,  and  set  them  down  upon  it,  and  took 
off  their  helms  to  cool  them,  and  either  kissed  other  an 
hundred  times.  And  then  anon  after  they  took  off  their 
helms  and  rode  to  Camelot.  And  there  they  met  with 
Sir  Gawaine  and  with  Sir  Gaheris  that  had  made  promise 
to  Arthur  never  to  come  again  to  the  court  till  they  had 
brought  Sir  Tristram  with  them. 


196  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Return  again,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  your  quest  is  done, 
for  I  have  met  with  Sir  Tristram  :  lo,  here  is  his  own  person  ! 
Then  was  Sir  Gawaine  glad,  and  said  to  Sir  Tristram  : 
Ye  are  welcome,  for  now  have  ye  eased  me  greatly  of  my 
labour.  For  what  cause,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  came  ye  into 
this  court  ?  Fair  sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  came  into  this 
country  because  of  Sir  Palomides  ;  for  he  and  I  had  assigned 
at  this  day  to  have  done  battle  together  at  the  peron,  and 
I  marvel  I  hear  not  of  him.1  And  thus  by  adventure  my 
lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  and  I  met  together.  With  this  came 
King  Arthur,  and  when  he  wist  that  there  was  Sir  Tristram, 
then  he  ran  unto  him  and  took  him  by  the  hand  and  said  : 
Sir  Tristram,  ye  are  as  welcome  as  any  knight  that  ever 
came  to  this  court.  And  when  the  king  had  heard  how 
Sir  Launcelot  and  he  had  foughten,  and  either  had  wounded 
other  wonderly  sore,  then  the  king  made  great  dole.  Then 
Sir  Tristram  told  the  king  how  he  came  thither  for  to  have 
had  ado  with  Sir  Palomides.  And  then  he  told  the  king 
how  he  had  rescued  him  from  the  nine  knights  and  Breuse 
Saunce  Pite*  ;  and  how  he  found  a  knight  lying  by  a  well, 
and  that  knight  smote  down  Sir  Palomides  and  me,  but  his 
shield  was  covered  with  a  cloth.  So  Sir  Palomides  left  me, 
and  I  followed  after  that  knight ;  and  in  many  places  I 
found  where  he  had  slain  knights,  and  for-jousted  many. 
By  my  head,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  same  knight  smote  me 
down  and  Sir  Bleoberis,  and  hurt  us  sore  both,  he  with 
the  covered  shield.  Ah,  said  Sir  Kay,  that  knight  smote 
me  adown  and  hurt  me  passing  sore,  and  fain  would  I 
have  known  him,  but  I  might  not.  Mercy,  said  Arthur, 
what  knight  was  that  with  the  covered  shield  ?     I  know 

1  The  cause  of  this  was  that  Palomides  was  made  prisoner  by  a  lord,  so  that  he  could 
not  keep  his  day. 


HOW  TRISTRAM  CAME  TO  THE  COURT    197 

not,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  so  said  they  all.  Now,  said 
King  Arthur,  then  wot  I,  for  it  is  Sir  Launcelot.  Then 
they  all  looked  upon  Sir  Launcelot  and  said  :  Ye  have 
beguiled  us  with  your  covered  shield.  It  is  not  the  first 
time,  said  Arthur,  he  hath  done  so.  My  lord,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  truly  wit  ye  well  I  was  the  same  knight  that 
bare  the  covered  shield  ;  and  because  I  would  not  be  known 
that  I  was  of  your  court  I  said  no  worship  of  your  house. 
That  is  truth,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Kay,  and  Sir  Bleoberis. 
Then  King  Arthur  took  Sir  Tristram  by  the  hand  and 
went  to  the  Table  Round.  Then  came  Queen  Guenever 
and  many  ladies  with  her,  and  all  the  ladies  said  at  one  voice  : 
Welcome,  Sir  Tristram  !  Welcome,  said  the  damosels. 
Welcome,  said  knights.  Welcome,  said  Arthur,  for  one 
of  the  best  knights,  and  the  gentlest  of  the  world,  and  the 
man  of  most  worship  ;  for  of  all  manner  of  hunting  thou 
bearest  the  prize,  and  of  all  measures  of  blowing  thou  art 
the  beginning,  and  of  all  the  terms  of  hunting  and  hawking 
ye  are  the  beginner,  of  all  instruments  of  music  ye  are  the 
best  ;  therefore,  gentle  knight,  said  Arthur,  ye  are  welcome 
to  this  court.  And  also,  I  pray  you,  said  Arthur,  grant  me 
a  boon.  It  shall  be  at  your  commandment,  said  Tristram. 
Well,  said  Arthur,  I  will  desire  of  you  that  ye  will  abide  in 
my  court.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  thereto  is  me  loath,  for 
I  have  ado  in  many  countries.  Not  so,  said  Arthur,  ye 
have  promised  it  me,  ye  may  not  say  nay.  Sir,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  I  will  as  ye  will.  Then  went  Arthur  unto  the 
sieges  about  the  Round  Table,  and  looked  in  every  siege 
the  which  were  void  that  lacked  knights.  And  then  the 
king  saw  in  the  siege  of  Marhaus  letters  that  said  :  This  is 
the  siege  of  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Tristram.  And  then 
Arthur  made  Sir  Tristram  Knight  of  the  Table   Round, 


198  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

with  great  nobley  and  great  feast  as  might  be  thought. 
For  Sir  Marhaus  was  slain  afore  by  the  hands  of  Sir  Tris- 
tram in  an  island  ;  and  that  was  well  known  at  that  time  in 
the  court  of  Arthur,  for  this  Marhaus  was  a  worthy  knight. 
So  leave  we  of  Sir  Tristram  and  speak  we  of  King  Mark. 

HOW  FOR  THE  DESPITE  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 
KING  MARK  CAME  WITH  TWO  KNIGHTS 
INTO  ENGLAND,  AND  HOW  HE  SLEW  ONE 
OF  THE  KNIGHTS,  AND  HOW  HE  WAS  SCORNED 
BY  SIR  LAMORAK  AND  SIR  DINADAN.  When 
Sir  Tristram  departed  out  of  Cornwall  into  England  King 
Mark  heard  of  the  great  prowess  that  Sir  Tristram  did 
there,  the  which  grieved  him  sore.  So  he  sent  on  his 
part  men  to  espy  what  deeds  he  did.  And  the  queen  sent 
privily  on  her  part  spies  to  know  what  deeds  he  had  done, 
for  great  love  was  between  them  twain.  So  when  the 
messengers  were  come  home  they  told  the  truth  as  they 
had  heard,  that  he  passed  all  other  knights  but  if  it  were 
Sir  Launcelot.  Then  King  Mark  was  right  heavy  of  these 
tidings,  and  as  glad  was  La  Beale  Isoud.  Then  in  great 
despite  he  took  with  him  two  good  knights  and  two  squires, 
and  disguised  himself,  and  took  his  way  into  England,  to 
the  intent  for  to  slay  Sir  Tristram.  And  one  of  these  two 
knights  hight  Bersules,  and  the  other  knight  was  called 
Amant.  So  as  they  rode  King  Mark  asked  a  knight  that 
he  met,  where  he  should  find  King  Arthur.  He  said  :  At 
Camelot.  Also  he  asked  that  knight  after  Sir  Tristram, 
whether  he  heard  of  him  in  the  court  of  King  Arthur.  Wit 
you  well,  said  that  knight,  ye  shall  find  Sir  Tristram  there 
for  a  man  of  as  great  worship  as  is  now  living  ;  for  through 
his  prowess  he  won  the  tournament  of  the  Castle  of  Maidens 


OF  KING  MARK'S  TREASONS  199 

that  standeth  by  the  Hard  Rock.  And  sithen  he  hath  won 
with  his  own  hands  thirty  knights  that  were  men  of  great 
honour.  And  the  last  batde  that  ever  he  did  he  fought 
with  Sir  Launcelot  ;  and  that  was  a  marvellous  batde. 
And  not  by  force  Sir  Launcelot  brought  Sir  Tristram  to 
the  court,  and  of  him  King  Arthur  made  passing  great 
joy,  and  so  made  him  Knight  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and 
his  seat  was  where  the  good  knight's,  Sir  Marhaus,  seat  was. 
Then  was  King  Mark  passing  sorry  when  he  heard  of  the 
honour  of  Sir  Tristram  ;   and  so  they  departed. 

Then  said  King  Mark  unto  his  two  knights  :  Now 
will  I  tell  you  my  counsel  :  ye  are  the  men  that  I  trust 
most  to  alive,  and  I  will  that  ye  wit  my  coming  hither  is 
to  this  intent,  for  to  destroy  Sir  Tristram  by  wiles  or  by 
treason  ;  and  it  shall  be  hard  if  ever  he  escape  our  hands. 
Alas,  said  Sir  Bersules,  what  mean  you  ?  for  ye  be  set  in 
such  a  way  ye  are  disposed  shamefully  ;  for  Sir  Tristram 
is  the  knight  of  most  worship  that  we  know  living,  and 
therefore  I  warn  you  plainly  I  will  never  consent  to  do  him 
to  the  death  ;  and  therefore  I  will  yield  my  service,  and 
forsake  you.  When  King  Mark  heard  him  say  so,  suddenly 
he  drew  his  sword  and  said  :  Ah,  traitor  ;  and  smote  Sir 
Bersules  on  the  head,  that  the  sword  went  to  his  teeth.  When 
Amant,  the  knight,  saw  him  do  that  villainous  deed,  and  his 
squires,  they  said  it  was  foul  done,  and  mischievously  : 
Wherefore  we  will  do  thee  no  more  service,  and  wit  ye  well, 
we  will  appeach  thee  of  treason  afore  Arthur.  Then  was 
King  Mark  wonderly  wroth  and  would  have  slain  Amant  ; 
but  he  and  the  two  squires  held  them  together,  and  set 
nought  by  his  malice.  When  King  Mark  saw  he  might 
not  be  revenged  on  them,  he  said  thus  unto  the  knight, 
Amant  :    Wit  thou  well,  an  thou  appeach  me  of  treason 

p 


2oo  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

I  shall  thereof  defend  me  afore  King  Arthur  ;  but  I  require 
thee  that  thou  tell  not  my  name,  that  I  am  King  Mark, 
whatsomever  come  of  me.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Amant, 
I  will  not  discover  your  name  ;  and  so  they  departed, 
and  Amant  and  his  fellows  took  the  body  of  Bersules  and 
buried  it. 

Then  King  Mark  rode  till  he  came  to  a  fountain,  and 
there  he  rested  him,  and  stood  in  a  doubt  whether  he  would 
ride  to  Arthur's  court  or  none,  or  return  again  to  his  country. 
And  as  he  thus  rested  him  by  that  fountain  there  came  by 
him  a  knight  well  armed  on  horseback  ;  and  he  alighted, 
and  tied  his  horse  until  a  tree,  and  set  him  down  by  the 
brink  of  the  fountain  ;  and  there  he  made  great  languor 
and  dole,  and  made  the  dolefullest  complaint  of  love  that 
ever  man  heard  ;  and  all  this  while  was  he  not  ware  of  King 
Mark.  And  this  was  a  great  part  of  his  complaint :  he 
cried  and  wept,  saying  :  O  fair  Queen  of  Orkney,  King 
Lot's  wife,  and  mother  of  Sir  Gawaine,  and  to  Sir  Gaheris, 
and  mother  to  many  other,  for  thy  love  I  am  in  great  pains. 
Then  King  Mark  arose  and  went  near  him  and  said  :  Fair 
knight,  ye  have  made  piteous  complaint.  Truly,  said  the 
knight,  it  is  an  hundred  part  more  ruefuller  than  my  heart 
can  utter.  I  require  you,  said  King  Mark,  tell  me  your 
name.  Sir,  said  he,  as  for  my  name  I  will  not  hide  it  from 
no  knight  that  beareth  a  shield,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Lamorak 
de  Galis.  But  when  Sir  Lamorak  heard  King  Mark  speak, 
then  wist  he  well  by  his  speech  that  he  was  a  Cornish  knight. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  I  understand  by  your  tongue  ye  be 
of  Cornwall,  wherein  there  dwelleth  the  shamefullest  king 
that  is  now  living,  for  he  is  a  great  enemy  to  all  good  knights  ; 
and  that  proveth  well,  for  he  hath  chased  out  of  that  country 
Sir  Tristram,  that  is   the  worshipfullest   knight   that   now 


OF  KING  MARK  AND  SIR  LAMORAK     201 

is  living,  and  all  knights  speak  of  him  worship  ;  and  for 
jealousness  of  his  queen  he  hath  chased  him  out  of  his  country. 
It  is  pity,  said  Sir  Lamorak,  that  ever  any  such  false  knight- 
coward  as  King  Mark  is,  should  be  matched  with  such  a 
fair  lady  and  good  as  La  Beale  Isoud  is,  for  all  the  world 
of  him  speaketh  shame,  and  of  her  worship  that  any  queen 
may  have.  I  have  not  ado  in  this  matter,  said  King  Mark, 
neither  nought  will  I  speak  thereof. 

Then  there  came  Sir  Dinadan,  and  saluted  them  both. 
And  when  he  wist  that  King  Mark  was  a  knight  of  Corn- 
wall he  reproved  him  for  the  love  of  King  Mark  a  thousand 
fold  more  than  did  Sir  Lamorak.  Then  he  proffered  to 
joust  with  King  Mark.  And  he  was  full  loath  thereto, 
but  Sir  Dinadan  edged  him  so,  that  he  jousted  with  Sir 
Lamorak.  And  Sir  Lamorak  smote  King  Mark  so  sore 
that  he  bare  him  on  his  spear  end  over  his  horse's  tail.  And 
then  King  Mark  arose  again,  and  followed  after  Sir  Lamorak. 
But  Sir  Dinadan  would  not  joust  with  Sir  Lamorak,  but 
he  told  King  Mark  that  Sir  Lamorak  was  Sir  Kay,  the 
Seneschal.  That  is  not  so,  said  King  Mark,  for  he  is  much 
bigger  than  Sir  Kay  ;  and  so  he  followed  and  overtook 
him,  and  bade  him  abide.  What  will  you  do  ?  said  Sir 
Lamorak.  Sir,  he  said,  I  will  fight  with  a  sword,  for  ye 
have  shamed  me  with  a  spear  ;  and  therewith  they  dashed 
together  with  swords,  and  Sir  Lamorak  suffered  him  and 
forbare  him.  And  King  Mark  was  passing  hasty,  and  smote 
thick  strokes.  Sir  Lamorak  saw  he  would  not  stint,  and 
waxed  somewhat  wroth,  and  doubled  his  strokes,  for  he 
was  one  of  the  noblest  knights  of  the  world  ;  and  he  beat 
him  so  on  the  helm  that  his  head  hung  nigh  on  the  saddle 
bow.  When  Sir  Lamorak  saw  him  fare  so,  he  said  :  Sir 
knight,  what  cheer  ?    meseemeth   ye   have   nigh   your   fill 


202  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

of  fighting,  it  were  pity  to  do  you  any  more  harm,  for  ye 
are  but  a  mean  knight,  therefore  I  give  you  leave  to  go 
where  ye  list.  Gramercy,  said  King  Mark,  for  ye  and  I 
be  not  matches. 

HOW  KING  MARK  SLEW  SIR  AMANT 
WRONGFULLY  TO  -  FORE  KING 
ARTHUR,  AND  SIR  LAUNCELOT 
FETCHED  KING  MARK  AGAIN  TO 
KING  ARTHUR.  Then  King  Mark  rode 
as  fast  as  he  might  unto  Camelot  ;  and  the  same  day  he 
found  there  Amant,  the  knight,  ready,  that  afore  Arthur 
had  appealed  him  of  treason ;  and  so,  lightly  the  king 
commanded  them  to  do  battle.  And  by  misadventure  King 
Mark  smote  Amant  through  the  body.  And  yet  was 
Amant  in  the  righteous  quarrel.  And  right  so  he  took  his 
horse  and  departed  from  the  court  for  dread  of  Sir  Dinadan, 
that  he  would  tell  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  what  he 
was.  Then  were  there  maidens  that  La  Beale  Isoud  had 
sent  to  Sir  Tristram,  that  knew  Sir  Amant  well. 

Then  by  the  license  of  King  Arthur  they  went  to  him 
and  spake  with  him  ;  for  while  the  truncheon  of  the  spear 
stuck  in  his  body  he  spake  :  Ah,  fair  damosels,  said  Amant, 
recommend  me  unto  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  tell  her  that  I 
am  slain  for  the  love  of  her  and  of  Sir  Tristram.  And 
there  he  told  the  damosels  how  cowardly  King  Mark  had 
slain  him,  and  Sir  Bersules,  his  fellow.  And  for  that  deed 
I  appealed  him  of  treason,  and  here  am  I  slain  in  a  righteous 
quarrel  ;  and  all  was  because  Sir  Bersules  and  I  would  not 
consent  by  treason  to  slay  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Tristram. 
Then  the  two  maidens  cried  aloud  that  all  the  court  might 
hear  it,  and  said  :    O  sweet  Lord  Jesu,  that  knowest  all  hid 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  KING  MARK   203 

things,  why  sufferest  thou  so  false  a  traitor  to  vanquish 
and  slay  a  true  knight  that  fought  in  a  righteous  quarrel  ? 
Then  anon  it  was  sprung  to  the  king,  and  the  queen,  and 
to  all  the  lords,  that  it  was  King  Mark  that  had  slain  Sir 
Amant,  and  Sir  Bersules  aforehand  ;  wherefore  they  did 
their  battle.  Then  was  King  Arthur  wroth  out  of  measure, 
and  so  were  all  the  other  knights.  But  when  Sir  Tristram 
knew  all  the  matter  he  made  great  dole  and  sorrow  out  of 
measure,  and  wept  for  sorrow  for  the  loss  of  the  noble  knights, 
Sir  Bersules  and  Sir  Amant. 

When  Sir  Launcelot  espied  Sir  Tristram  weep  he  went 
hastily  to  King  Arthur,  and  said  :  Sir,  I  pray  you  give  me 
leave  to  return  again  to  yonder  false  king  and  knight.  I 
pray  you,  said  King  Arthur,  fetch  him  again,  but  I  would 
not  that  ye  slew  him,  for  my  worship.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
armed  him  in  all  haste,  and  mounted  upon  a  great  horse, 
and  took  a  spear  in  his  hand  and  rode  after  King  Mark. 
And  from  thence  a  three  mile  English  Sir  Launcelot  over- 
took him,  and  bade  him  :  Turn  recreant  king  and  knight, 
for  whether  thou  wilt  or  not  thou  shalt  go  with  me  to  King 
Arthur's  court.  King  Mark  returned  and  looked  upon 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  said  :  Fair  sir,  what  is  your  name  ? 
Wit  thou  well,  said  he,  my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
therefore  defend  thee.  And  when  King  Mark  wist  that  it 
was  Sir  Launcelot,  and  came  so  fast  upon  him  with  a  spear, 
he  cried  then  aloud  :  I  yield  me  to  thee,  Sir  Launcelot, 
honourable  knight.  But  Sir  Launcelot  would  not  hear 
him,  but  came  fast  upon  him.  King  Mark  saw  that,  and 
made  no  defence,  but  tumbled  adown  out  of  his  saddle 
to  the  earth  as  a  sack,  and  there  he  lay  still,  and  cried  Sir 
Launcelot  mercy.  Arise,  recreant  knight  and  king.  I 
will  not  fight,  said  King  Mark,  but  whither  that  ye  will  I 


204  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

will  go  with  you.  Alas,  alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  I 
may  not  give  thee  one  buffet  for  the  love  of  Sir  Tristram 
and  of  La  Beale  Isoud,  and  for  the  two  knights  that  thou 
hast  slain  traitorly.  And  so  he  mounted  upon  his  horse 
and  brought  him  to  King  Arthur  ;  and  there  King  Mark 
alighted  in  that  same  place,  and  threw  his  helm  from  him 
upon  the  earth,  and  his  sword,  and  fell  flat  to  the  earth  of 
King  Arthur's  feet,  and  put  him  in  his  grace  and  mercy. 
So  God  me  help,  said  Arthur,  ye  are  welcome  in  a  manner, 
and  in  a  manner  ye  are  not  welcome.  In  this  manner  ye 
are  welcome,  that  ye  come  hither  maugre  thy  head,  as  I 
suppose.  That  is  truth,  said  King  Mark,  and  else  I  had 
not  been  here,  for  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  brought  me 
hither  through  his  fine  force,  and  to  him  am  I  yolden  to 
as  recreant.  Well,  said  Arthur,  ye  understand  ye  ought 
to  do  me  service,  homage,  and  fealty.  And  never  would 
ye  do  me  none,  but  ever  ye  have  been  against  me,  and  a 
destroyer  of  my  knights  ;  now,  how  will  ye  acquit  you  ? 
Sir,  said  King  Mark,  right  as  your  lordship  will  require 
me,  unto  my  power,  I  will  make  a  large  amends.  For  he 
was  a  fair  speaker,  and  false  thereunder.  Then  for  great 
pleasure  of  Sir  Tristram,  to  make  them  twain  accorded, 
the  king  withheld  King  Mark  as  at  that  time,  and  made  a 
broken  love-day  between  them. 

HOW  KING  ARTHUR  MADE  A  JOUSTING, 
AND  HOW  SIR  LAMORAK  CAME  IN,  AND 
OVERTHREW  SIR  GAWAINE,  AND  HOW 
KING  ARTHUR  MADE  KING  MARK  TO  BE 
ACCORDED  WITH  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  THEY 
RODE  TOGETHER  TO  CORNWALL.  Then  within 
three  days  after  the  king  let  make  a  jousting  at  a  priory. 


OF  SIR  LAMORAK  AND  SIR  GAWAINE    205 

And  there  made  them  ready  many  knights  of  the  Round 
Table,  for  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren  made  them  ready 
to  joust ;  but  Tristram,  Launcelot,  nor  Dinadan,  would  not 
joust,  but  suffered  Sir  Gawaine,  for  the  love  of  King  Arthur, 
with  his  brethren,  to  win  the  gree  if  they  might.  Then  on 
the  morn  they  apparelled  them  to  joust,  Sir  Gawaine  and 
his  four  brethren,  and  did  there  great  deeds  of  arms.  And 
Sir  Ector  de  Maris  did  marvellously  well,  but  Sir  Gawaine 
passed  all  that  fellowship  ;  wherefore  King  Arthur  and  all  the 
knights  gave  Sir  Gawaine  the  honour  at  the  beginning. 

Right  so  King  Arthur  was  ware  of  a  knight  and  two 
squires,  the  which  came  out  of  a  forest  side,  with  a  shield 
covered  with  leather,  and  then  he  came  slyly  and  hurtled 
here  and  there,  and  anon  with  one  spear  he  had  smitten 
down  two  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  Then  with  this 
hurding  he  lost  the  covering  of  his  shield  :  then  was  the 
king  and  all  other  ware  that  he  bare  a  red  shield.  See 
where  rideth  a  stout  knight,  said  King  Arthur,  he  with 
the  red  shield.  And  there  was  noise  and  crying  :  Beware 
the  Knight  with  the  Red  Shield.  So  within  a  little  while 
he  had  overthrown  three  brethren  of  Sir  Gawaine's. 
Truly,  said  King  Arthur,  meseemeth  yonder  is  the  best 
jouster  that  ever  I  saw.  With  that  he  saw  him  encounter 
with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  he  smote  him  down  with  so  great 
force  that  he  made  his  horse  to  avoid  the  saddle.  How 
now,  said  the  king,  Sir  Gawaine  hath  a  fall  ;  well  were 
me  an  I  knew  what  knight  he  were  with  the  red  shield. 
I  know  him  well,  said  Dinadan,  but  as  at  this  time  ye 
shall  not  know  his  name.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
he  jousted  better  than  Sir  Palomides,  and  if  ye  list  to 
know  his  name,  wit  ye  well  his  name  is  Sir  Lamorak  de 
Galis. 


206  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

As  they  stood  thus  talking,  Sir  Gawaine  and  he  en- 
countered together  again,  and  there  he  smote  Sir  Gawaine 
from  his  horse,  and  brised  him  sore.  And  in  the  sight  of 
King  Arthur  he  smote  down  twenty  knights,  beside  Sir 
Gawaine  and  his  brethren.  And  so  clearly  was  the  prize 
given  him  as  a  knight  peerless.  Then  slyly  and  marvel- 
lously Sir  Lamorak  withdrew  him  from  all  the  fellowship 
into  the  forest  side.  All  this  espied  King  Arthur,  for  his 
eye  went  never  from  him.  Then  the  king,  Sir  Launcelot, 
Sir  Tristram,  and  Sir  Dinadan,  took  their  hackneys,  and 
rode  straight  after  the  good  knight,  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis, 
and  there  found  him.  And  thus  said  the  king  :  Ah,  fair 
knight,  well  be  ye  found.  When  he  saw  the  king  he  put 
off  his  helm  and  saluted  him,  and  when  he  saw  Sir  Tristram 
he  alighted  down  off  his  horse  and  ran  to  him  to  take  him 
by  the  thighs,  but  Sir  Tristram  would  not  suffer  him,  but 
he  alighted  or  that  he  came,  and  either  took  other  in  arms, 
and  made  great  joy  of  other.  The  king  was  glad,  and  also 
was  all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  except  Sir 
Gawaine  and  his  brethren.  And  when  they  wist  that  he 
was  Sir  Lamorak,  they  had  great  despite  at  him,  and  were 
wonderly  wroth  with  him  that  he  had  put  Gawaine  to  dis- 
honour that  day. 

Then  Gawaine  called  privily  in  council  all  his  brethren, 
and  to  them  said  thus  :  Fair  brethren,  here  may  ye  see, 
whom  that  we  hate  King  Arthur  loveth,  and  whom  that 
we  love  he  hateth.  And  wit  ye  well,  my  fair  brethren, 
that  this  Sir  Lamorak  will  never  love  us,  because  we  slew 
his  father,  King  Pellinore,  for  we  deemed  that  he  slew  our 
father,  King  of  Orkney.  And  for  the  despite  of  Pellinore, 
Sir  Lamorak  did  us  a  shame  to  our  mother,  therefore  I  will 
be  revenged.     Sir,  said  Sir  Gawaine's  brethren,  let  see  how  ye 


HOW  KING  MARK  WENT  TO  CORNWALL   207 

will  or  may  be  revenged,  and  ye  shall  find  us  ready.  Well, 
said  Gawaine,  hold  you  still  and  we  shall  espy  our  time. 

Now  pass  we  our  matter,  and  leave  we  Sir  Gawaine, 
and  speak  of  King  Arthur,  that  on  a  day  said  unto  King 
Mark  :  Sir,  I  pray  you  give  me  a  gift  that  I  shall  ask  you. 
Sir,  said  King  Mark,  I  will  give  you  whatsomever  ye  desire 
an  it  be  in  my  power.  Sir,  gramercy,  said  Arthur.  This 
I  will  ask  you,  that  ye  will  be  good  lord  unto  Sir  Tristram, 
for  he  is  a  man  of  great  honour  ;  and  that  ye  will  take  him 
with  you  into  Cornwall,  and  let  him  see  his  friends,  and 
there  cherish  him  for  my  sake.  Sir,  said  King  Mark,  I 
promise  you  by  the  faith  of  my  body,  and  by  the  faith  that 
I  owe  to  God  and  to  you,  I  shall  worship  him  for  your  sake 
in  all  that  I  can  or  may.  Sir,  said  Arthur,  and  I  will  forgive 
you  all  the  evil  will  that  ever  I  owed  you,  an  so  be  that  you 
swear  that  upon  a  book  before  me.  With  a  good  will,  said 
King  Mark  ;  and  so  he  there  sware  upon  a  book  afore  him 
and  all  his  knights,  and  therewith  King  Mark  and  Sir 
Tristram  took^'either  other  by  the  hands  hard  knit  together. 
But  for  all  this  King  Mark  thought  falsely,  as  it  proved 
after,  for  heVput  Sir  Tristram  in  prison,  and  cowardly  would 
have  slain  him. 

Then  soon  after  King  Mark  took  his  leave  to  ride  into 
Cornwall,  and  Sir  Tristram  made  him  ready  to  ride  with 
him,  whereof  the  most  part  of  the  Round  Table  were  wroth 
and  heavy,  and  in  especial  Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Lamorak, 
and  Sir  Dinadan,  were  wroth  out  of  measure.  For  well 
they  wist  King  Mark  would  slay  or  destroy  Sir  Tristram. 
Alas,  said  Dinadan,  that  my  lord,  Sir  Tristram,  shall  depart. 
And  Sir  Tristram  took  such  sorrow  that  he  was  amazed 
like  a  fool.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto  King  Arthur, 
what  have  ye  done,  for  ye  shall  lose  the  most  man  of  worship 


208  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

that  ever  came  into  your  court.  It  was  his  own  desire, 
said  Arthur,  and  therefore  I  might  not  do  withal,  for  I  have 
done  all  that  I  can  and  made  them  at  accord.  Accord, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  fie  upon  that  accord,  for  ye  shall  hear 
that  he  shall  slay  Sir  Tristram,  or  put  him  in  a  prison,  for 
he  is  the  most  coward  and  the  villainest  king  and  knight 
that  is  now  living. 

And  therewith  Sir  Launcelot  departed,  and  came  to 
King  Mark,  and  said  to  him  thus  :  Sir  king,  wit  thou  well 
the  good  knight  Sir  Tristram  shall  go  with  thee.  Beware, 
I  rede  thee,  of  treason,  for  an  thou  mischief  that  knight 
by  any  manner  of  falsehood  or  treason,  by  the  faith  I  owe 
to  God  and  to  the  order  of  knighthood,  I  shall  slay  thee 
with  mine  own  hands.  Sir  Launcelot,  said  the  king,  over- 
much have  ye  said  to  me,  and  I  have  sworn  and  said  over 
largely  afore  King  Arthur  in  hearing  of  all  his  knights, 
that  I  shall  not  slay  nor  betray  him.  It  were  to  me  over- 
much shame  to  break  my  promise.  Ye  say  well,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  but  ye  are  called  so  false  and  full  of  treason  that 
no  man  may  believe  you.  Forsooth  it  is  known  well  where- 
fore ye  came  into  this  country,  and  for  none  other  cause 
but  for  to  slay  Sir  Tristram.  So  with  great  dole  King 
Mark  and  Sir  Tristram  rode  together,  for  it  was  by  Sir 
Tristram's  will  and  his  means  to  go  with  King  Mark,  and 
all  was  for  the  intent  to  see  La  Beale  Isoud,  for  without 
the  sight  of  her  Sir  Tristram  might  not  endure. 

HOW  SIR  PERCIVALE  WAS  MADE  KNIGHT 
OF  KING  ARTHUR,  AND  HOW  A  DUMB 
MAID  SPAKE,  AND  BROUGHT  HIM  TO  THE 
ROUND  TABLE.  So  when  King  Mark  and  Sir  Tristram 
were  departed  from  the  court  there  was  made  great  dole  and 


HOW  PERCIVALE  WAS  MADE  KNIGHT    209 

sorrow  for  the  departing  of  Sir  Tristram.  Then  the  king 
and  his  knights  made  no  manner  of  joys  eight  days  after. 
And  at  the  eight  days'  end  there  came  to  the  court  a  knight 
with  a  young  squire  with  him.  And  when  this  knight  was 
unarmed,  he  went  to  the  king  and  required  him  to  make  the 
young  squire  a  knight.  Of  what  lineage  is  he  come  ?  said 
King  Arthur.  Sir,  said  the  knight,  he  is  the  son  of  King 
Pellinore,  that  did  you  some  time  good  service,  and  he  is 
a  brother  unto  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  the  good  knight. 
Well,  said  the  king,  for  what  cause  desire  ye  that  of  me 
that  I  should  make  him  knight  ?  Wit  you  well,  my  lord 
the  king,  that  this  young  squire  is  brother  to  me  as  well 
as  to  Sir  Lamorak,  and  my  name  is  Aglavale.  Sir  Aglavale, 
said  Arthur,  for  the  love  of  Sir  Lamorak,  and  for  his  father's 
love,  he  shall  be  made  knight  to-morrow.  Now  tell  me, 
said  Arthur,  what  is  his  name  ?  Sir,  said  the  knight,  his 
name  is  Percivale  de  Galis.  So  on  the  morn  the  king  made 
him  knight  in  Camelot.  But  the  king  and  all  the  knights 
thought  it  would  be  long  ere  that  he  proved  a  good  knight. 
Then  at  the  dinner,  when  the  king  was  set  at  the  table, 
and  every  knight  after  he  was  of  prowess,  the  king  com- 
manded him  to  be  set  among  mean  knights  ;  and  so  was 
Sir  Percivale  set  as  the  king  commanded.  Then  was  there 
a  maiden  in  the  queen's  court  that  was  come  of  high  blood, 
and  she  was  dumb  and  never  spake  word.  Right  so  she 
came  straight  into  the  hall,  and  went  unto  Sir  Percivale, 
and  took  him  by  the  hand  and  said  aloud,  that  the  king 
and  all  the  knights  might  hear  it :  Arise,  Sir  Percivale, 
the  noble  knight  and  God's  knight,  and  go  with  me  ;  and 
so  he  did.  And  there  she  brought  him  to  the  right  side  of 
the  Siege  Perilous,  and  said,  Fair  knight,  take  here  thy 
siege,  for  that  siege  appertained!  to  thee  and  to  none  other. 


210  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Right  so  she  departed  and  asked  a  priest.  And  as  she  was 
confessed  and  houselled^  then  she  died.  Then  the  king 
and  all  the  court  made  great  joy  of  Sir  Percivale. 

HOW  AT  A  GREAT  FEAST  THAT 
KING  MARK  MADE  AN  HARPER 
CAME  AND  SANG  A  LAY  OF 
SIR  DINADAN'S  AGAINST  KING 
MARK.  Then  there  came  a  knight  out 
of  Cornwall,  his  name  was  Fergus,  a 
fellow  of  the  Round  Table.  And  there 
he  told  the  king  and  Sir  Launcelot  good 
tidings  of  Sir  Tristram,  and  there  were 
brought  goodly  letters,  and  how  he  left  him  in  the  castle 
of  Tintagil.  Then  came  the  damosel  that  brought  goodly 
letters  unto  King  Arthur  and  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
there  she  had  passing  good  cheer  of  the  king,  and  of 
the  Queen  Guenever,  and  of  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  they 
wrote  goodly  letters  again.  But  Sir  Launcelot  bade  ever 
Sir  Tristram  beware  of  King  Mark,  for  ever  he  called 
him  in  his  letters  King  Fox,  as  who  saith,  he  fareth  all 
with  wiles  and  treason.  Whereof  Sir  Tristram  in  his  heart 
thanked  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  the  damosel  went  unto  La 
Beale  Isoud,  and  bare  her  letters  from  the  king  and  from 
Sir  Launcelot,  whereof  she  was  in  passing  great  joy.  Fair 
damosel,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  how  fareth  my  Lord  Arthur, 
and  the  Queen  Guenever,  and  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Launce- 
lot ?  She  answered,  and  to  make  short  tale  :  Much  the 
better  that  ye  and  Sir  Tristram  be  in  joy.  God  reward 
them,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  for  Sir  Tristram  suffereth  great 
pain  for  me,  and  I  for  him. 

So  the  damosel  departed,  and  brought  letters  to  King 


OF  LETTERS  FROM  KING  MARK         211 

Mark.  And  when  he  had  read  them,  and  understood 
them,  he  was  wroth  with  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  deemed  that 
he  had  sent  the  damosel  unto  King  Arthur.  For  Arthur 
and  Launcelot  in  a  manner  threated  King  Mark.  And 
as  King  Mark  read  these  letters  he  deemed  treason  by  Sir 
Tristram. 

Then  privily  and  secretly  he  sent  letters  unto  King 
Arthur,  and  unto  Queen  Guenever,  and  unto  Sir  Launcelot. 
So  the  varlet  departed,  and  found  the  king  and  the  queen 
in  Wales,  at  Carlion.  And  as  the  king  and  the  queen  were 
at  mass  the  varlet  came  with  the  letters.  And  when  mass 
was  done  the  king  and  the  queen  opened  the  letters  privily 
by  themselves.  And  the  beginning  of  the  king's  letters  spake 
wonderly  short  unto  King  Arthur,  and  bade  him  entermete 
with  himself  and  with  his  wife,  and  of  his  knights  ;  for 
he  was  able  enough  to  rule  and  keep  his  wife. 

When  King  Arthur  understood  the  letter,  he  mused  of 
many  things,  and  thought  on  his  sister's  words,  Queen 
Morgan  le  Fay,  that  she  had  said  betwixt  Queen  Guenever 
and  Sir  Launcelot.  And  in  this  thought  he  studied  a 
great  while.  Then  he  bethought  him  again  how  his  sister 
was  his  own  enemy,  and  that  she  hated  the  queen  and  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  so  he  put  all  that  out  of  his  thought.  Then 
King  Arthur  read  the  letter  again,  and  the  latter  clause 
said  that  King  Mark  took  Sir  Tristram  for  his  mortal  enemy  ; 
wherefore  he  put  Arthur  out  of  doubt  he  would  be  revenged 
of  Sir  Tristram.  Then  was  King  Arthur  wroth  with  King 
Mark.  And  when  Queen  Guenever  read  her  letter  and 
understood  it,  she  was  wroth  out  of  measure,  for  the  letter 
spake  shame  by  her  and  by  Sir  Launcelot.  And  so  privily 
she  sent  the  letter  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  And  when  he  wist 
the  intent  of  the  letter  he  was  so  wroth  that  he  laid  him 


212  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

down  on  his  bed  to  sleep,  whereof  Sir  Dinadan  was  ware, 
for  it  was  his  manner  to  be  privy  with  all  good  knights. 
And  as  Sir  Launcelot  slept  he  stole  the  letter  out  of  his 
hand,  and  read  it  word  by  word.  And  then  he  made  great 
sorrow  for  anger.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot  awaked,  and  went 
to  a  window,  and  read  the  letter  again,  the  which  made 
him  angry. 

Sir,  said  Dinadan,  wherefore  be  ye  angry  ?  discover 
your  heart  to  me  :  forsooth  ye  wot  well  I  owe  you  good 
will,  howbeit  I  am  a  poor  knight  and  a  servitor  unto  you 
and  to  all  good  knights.  For  though  I  be  not  of  worship 
myself  I  love  all  those  that  be  of  worship.  It  is  truth,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  ye  are  a  trusty  knight,  and  for  great  trust  I 
will  shew  you  my  counsel.  And  when  Dinadan  understood 
all,  he  said  :  This  is  my  counsel  :  set  you  right  nought  by 
these  threats,  for  King  Mark  is  so  villainous,  that  by  fair 
speech  shall  never  man  get  of  him.  But  ye  shall  see  what 
I  shall  do  ;  I  will  make  a  lay  for  him,  and  when  it  is  made 
I  shall  make  an  harper  to  sing  it  afore  him.  So  anon  he 
went  and  made  it,  and  taught  it  an  harper  that  hight  Eliot. 
And  when  he  knew  it,  he  taught  it  to  many  harpers.  And 
so  by  the  will  of  Sir  Launcelot,  and  of  Arthur,  the  harpers 
went  straight  into  Wales,  and  into  Cornwall,  to  sing  the 
lay  that  Sir  Dinadan  made  by  King  Mark,  the  which  was 
the  worst  lay  that  ever  harper  sang  with  harp  or  with  any 
other  instruments. 

And  at  a  great  feast  that  King  Mark  made  came  Eliot 
the  harper  with  the  lay  that  Dinadan  had  made,  and  secretly 
brought  it  unto  Sir  Tristram,  and  told  him  the  lay  that 
Dinadan  had  made  by  King  Mark.  And  when  Sir  Tristram 
heard  it,  he  said  :  That  Dinadan  can  make  wonderly  well 
and  ill,  thereas  it  shall  be.     Sir,  said  Eliot,  dare  I  sing  this 


jnui 

j 


: 
■ 

e  that  b 


'  How  at  a  great  feast  that  King  Mark  made  came  Eliot  the  harper  and 
sang  the  lay  that  Dinadan  had  made. 

To  face  page  2iz. 


' 


OF  KING  MARK  AND  SIR  DINADAN'S  LAY     213 

song  afore  King  Mark  ?  Yea,  on  my  peril,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
for  I  shall  be  thy  warrant.  Then  at  the  meat  came  in  Eliot 
the  harper,  and  because  he  was  a  curious  harper  men  heard 
him  sing  the  same  lay  that  Dinadan  had  made,  the  which 
spake  the  most  villainy  by  King  Mark  of  his  treason  that 
ever  man  heard. 

When  the  harper  had  sung  his  song  to  the  end  King 
Mark  was  wonderly  wroth,  and  said  :  Thou  harper,  how 
durst  thou  be  so  bold  on  thy  head  to  sing  this  song  afore 
me.  Sir,  said  Eliot,  wit  you  well  I  am  a  minstrel,  and  I 
must  do  as  I  am  commanded  of  these  lords  that  I  bear  the 
arms  of.  And  sir,  wit  ye  well  that  Sir  Dinadan,  a  knight 
of  the  Table  Round,  made  this  song,  and  made  me  to  sing 
it  afore  you.  Thou  sayest  well,  said  King  Mark,  and 
because  thou  art  a  minstrel  thou  shalt  go  quit,  but  I  charge 
thee  hie  thee  fast  out  of  my  sight.  So  the  harper  departed 
and  went  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  told  him  how  he  had  sped. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  let  make  letters  as  goodly  as  he  could 
to  Launcelot  and  to  Sir  Dinadan.  And  so  he  let  conduct 
the  harper  out  of  the  country.  But  to  say  that  King  Mark 
was  wonderly  wroth,  he  was,  for  he  deemed  that  the  lay 
that  was  sung  afore  him  was  made  by  Sir  Tristram's  counsel, 
wherefore  he  thought  to  slay  him  and  all  his  well-willers 
in  that  country. 

HOW  BY  TREASON  SIR  TRISTRAM  WAS 
BROUGHT  TO  A  TOURNAMENT  FOR  TO 
HAVE  BEEN  SLAIN,  AND  HOW  HE  WAS 
PUT  IN  PRISON,  AND  HOW  HE  AND  LA  BEALE 
ISOUD  CAME  TO  ENGLAND  AND  WERE  LODGED 
BY  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AT  JOYOUS  GARD.  Then 
there  was  cried  by  the  coasts  of  Cornwall  a  great  tournament 


214  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

and  jousts,  and  all  was  done  by  Sir  Galahalt  the  haut  prince 
and  King  Bagdemagus,  to  the  intent  to  slay  Launcelot,  or 
else  utterly  destroy  him  and  shame  him,  because  Sir  Launcelot 
had  always  the  higher  degree  ;  therefore  this  prince  and  this 
king  made  this  jousts  against  Sir  Launcelot.  And  thus  their 
counsel  was  discovered  unto  King  Mark,  whereof  he  was 
full  glad. 

Then  King  Mark  bethought  him  that  he  would  have 
Sir  Tristram  unto  that  tournament  disguised  that  no  man 
should  know  him,  to  that  intent  that  the  haut  prince  should 
ween  that  Sir  Tristram  were  Sir  Launcelot.  So  at  these 
jousts  came  in  Sir  Tristram.  And  at  that  time  Sir  Launcelot 
was  not  there,  but  when  they  saw  a  knight  disguised  do 
such  deeds  of  arms,  they  weened  it  had  been  Sir  Launcelot. 
And  in  especial  King  Mark  said  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  plainly. 
Then  they  set  upon  him,  both  King  Bagdemagus,  and  the 
haut  prince,  and  their  knights,  that  it  was  wonder  that  ever 
Sir  Tristram  might  endure  that  pain.  Notwithstanding 
for  all  the  pain  that  he  had,  Sir  Tristram  won  the  degree 
at  that  tournament,  and  there  he  hurt  many  knights  and 
brised  them,  and  they  hurt  him  and  brised  him  wonderly 
sore.  So  when  the  jousts  were  all  done  they  knew  well 
that  it  was  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones  ;  and  all  that  were  on 
King  Mark's  party  were  glad  that  Sir  Tristram  was  hurt, 
and  the  remnant  were  sorry  of  his  hurt  ;  for  Sir  Tristram 
was  not  so  behated  as  was  Sir  Launcelot  within  the  realm 
of  England. 

Then  came  King  Mark  unto  Sir  Tristram  and  said  : 
Fair  nephew,  I  am  sorry  of  your  hurts.  Gramercy  my 
lord,  said  Sir  Tristram.  Then  King  Mark  made  Sir  Tris- 
tram to  be  put  in  an  horse  bier  in  great  sign  of  love,  and 
said  :    Fair  cousin,  I  shall  be  your  leech  myself.     And  so 


HOW  TRISTRAM  CAME  TO  ENGLAND    215 

he  rode  forth  with  Sir  Tristram,  and  brought  him  to  a 
casde  by  daylight.  And  then  King  Mark  made  Sir  Tris- 
tram to  eat.  And  then  after  he  gave  him  a  drink,  the 
which  as  soon  as  he  had  drunk  he  fell  asleep.  And  when 
it  was  night  he  made  him  to  be  carried  to  another  casde, 
and  there  he  put  him  in  a  strong  prison,  and  there  he  ordained 
a  man  and  a  woman  to  give  him  his  meat  and  drink.  So 
there  he  was  a  great  while. 

When  Queen  Isoud  understood  that  Sir  Tristram  was 
in  prison  she  made  as  great  sorrow  as  ever  made  lady  or 
gendewoman.  Then  Sir  Tristram  sent  a  letter  unto  La 
Beale  Isoud,  and  prayed  her  to  be  his  good  lady  ;  and  if  it 
pleased  her  to  make  a  vessel  ready  for  her  and  him,  he  would 
go  with  her  unto  the  realm  of  Logris,  that  is  this  land. 
When  La  Beale  Isoud  understood  Sir  Tristram's  letters  and 
his  intent,  she  sent  him  another,  and  bade  him  be  of  good 
comfort,  for  she  would  do  make  the  vessel  ready,  and  all 
thing  to  purpose. 

Then  La  Beale  Isoud  sent  unto  Sir  Dinas,  and  to  Sadok, 
and  prayed  them  in  anywise  to  take  King  Mark,  and  put 
him  in  prison,  unto  the  time  that  she  and  Sir  Tristram 
were  departed  unto  the  realm  of  Logris.  When  Sir  Dinas 
the  Seneschal  understood  the  treason  of  King  Mark  he  pro- 
mised her  again,  and  sent  her  word  that  King  Mark  should 
be  put  in  prison.  And  as  they  devised  it  so  it  was  done. 
And  then  Sir  Tristram  was  delivered  out  of  prison  ;  and 
anon  in  all  the  haste  Queen  Isoud  and  Sir  Tristram  went 
and  took  their  counsel  with  that  they  would  have  with  them 
when  they  departed. 

Then  La  Beale  Isoud  and  Sir  Tristram  took  their  vessel, 
and  came  by  water  into  this  land.  And  so  they  were  not 
in  this  land  four  days  but  there  came  a  cry  of  a  jousts  and 

Q 


216  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

tournament  that  King  Arthur  let  make.  When  Sir  Tristram 
heard  tell  of  that  tournament  he  disguised  himself,  and 
La  Beale  Isoud,  and  rode  unto  that  tournament.  And 
when  he  came  there  he  saw  many  knights  joust  and  tourney  ; 
and  so  Sir  Tristram  dressed  him  to  the  range,  and  to  make 
short  conclusion,  he  overthrew  fourteen  knights  of  the 
Round  Table.  When  Sir  Launcelot  saw  these  knights 
thus  overthrown,  Sir  Launcelot  dressed  him  to  Sir  Tristram. 
That  saw  La  Beale  Isoud  how  Sir  Launcelot  was  come 
into  the  field.  Then  La  Beale  Isoud  sent  unto  Sir  Launce- 
lot a  ring,  and  bade  him  wit  that  it  was  Sir  Tristram  de 
Liones.  When  Sir  Launcelot  understood  that  there  was 
Sir  Tristram  he  was  full  glad,  and  would  not  joust.  Then 
Sir  Launcelot  espied  whither  Sir  Tristram  went,  and  after 
him  he  rode  ;  and  then  either  made  of  other  great  joy. 
And  so  Sir  Launcelot  brought  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale 
Isoud  unto  Joyous  Gard,  that  was  his  own  casde,  that  he 
had  won  with  his  own  hands.  And  there  Sir  Launcelot 
put  them  in  to  wield  for  their  own.  And  wit  ye  well  that 
castle  was  garnished  and  furnished  for  a  king  and  a  queen 
royal  there  to  have  sojourned.  And  Sir  Launcelot  charged 
all  his  people  to  honour  them  and  love  them  as  they  would 
do  himself. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  departed  unto  King  Arthur  ;  and 
then  he  told  Queen  Guenever  how  he  that  jousted  so  well 
at  the  last  tournament  was  Sir  Tristram.  And  there  he 
told  her  how  he  had  with  him  La  Beale  Isoud  maugre  King 
Mark,  and  so  Queen  Guenever  told  all  this  unto  King 
Arthur.  When  King  Arthur  wist  that  Sir  Tristram  was 
escaped  and  come  from  King  Mark,  and  had  brought  La 
Beale  Isoud  with  him,  then  was  he  passing  glad.  So  because 
of  Sir  Tristram  King  Arthur  let  make  a  cry,  that  on  May 


HOW  TRISTRAM  ABODE  AT  JOYOUS  GARD    217 

Day  should  be  a  jousts  before  the  castle  of  Lonazep  ;  and 
that  casde  was  fast  by  Joyous  Gard.  And  thus  Arthur 
devised,  that  all  the  knights  of  this  land,  and  of  Cornwall, 
and  of  North  Wales,  should  joust  against  all  these  countries, 
Ireland,  Scodand,  and  the  remnant  of  Wales,  and  the  country 
of  Gore,  and  Surluse,  and  of  Listinoise,  and  they  of  North- 
umberland, and  all  they  that  held  lands  of  Arthur  on  this 
half  the  sea.  When  this  cry  was  made  many  knights  were 
glad  and  many  were  unglad.  Sir,  said  Launcelot  unto 
Arthur,  by  this  cry  that  ye  have  made  ye  will  put  us  that 
be  about  you  in  great  jeopardy,  for  there  be  many  knights 
that  have  great  envy  to  us  ;  therefore  when  we  shall  meet 
at  the  day  of  jousts  there  will  be  hard  shift  among  us.  As 
for  that,  said  Arthur,  I  care  not  ;  there  shall  we  prove  who 
shall  be  best  of  his  hands.  So  when  Sir  Launcelot  under- 
stood wherefore  King  Arthur  made  this  jousting,  then  he 
made  such  purveyance  that  La  Beale  Isoud  should  behold 
the  jousts  in  a  secret  place  that  was  honest  for  her  estate. 

Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Tristram  and  to  La  Beale  Isoud, 
how  they  made  great  joy  daily  together  with  all  manner 
of  mirths  that  they  could  devise  ;  and  every  day  Sir  Tris- 
tram would  go  ride  a-hunting,  for  Sir  Tristram  was  that 
time  called  the  best  chaser  of  the  world,  and  the  noblest 
blower  of  an  horn  of  all  manner  of  measures  ;  for  as  books 
report,  of  Sir  Tristram  came  all  the  good  terms  of  venery 
and  hunting,  and  all  the  sizes  and  measures  of  blowing  of 
an  horn  ;  and  of  him  we  had  first  all  the  terms  of  hawking, 
and  which  were  beasts  of  chase  and  beasts  of  venery,  and 
which  were  vermins,  and  all  the  blasts  that  long  to  all  manner 
of  games.  First  to  the  uncoupling,  to  the  seeking,  to  the 
rechate,  to  the  flight,  to  the  death,  and  to  strake,  and  many 
other  blasts  and  terms,  that  all  manner  of  gendemen  have 


21 8  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

cause  to  the  world's  end  to  praise  Sir  Tristram,  and  to  pray 
for  his  soul. 

HOW  BY  THE  COUNSEL  OF  LA  BEALE 
ISOUD  SIR  TRISTRAM  RODE  ARMED, 
AND  HOW  HE  MET  WITH  SIR  PALO- 
MIDES,  AND  SIR  BREUSE  SAUNCE  PITE 
BEGUILED  THREE  GOOD  KNIGHTS.  So 
on  a  day  La  Beale  Isoud  said  unto  Sir  Tristram  :  I 
marvel  me  much,  said  she,  that  ye  remember  not 
yourself,  how  ye  be  here  in  a  strange  country,  and 
here  be  many  perilous  knights ;  and  well  ye  wot 
that  King  Mark  is  full  of  treason  ;  and  that  ye  will  ride  thus 
to  chase  and  to  hunt  unarmed  ;  ye  might  be  destroyed.  My 
fair  lady  and  my  love,  I  cry  you  mercy,  I  will  no  more  do  so. 
So  then  Sir  Tristram  rode  daily  a-hunting  armed,  and  his  men 
bearing  his  shield  and  his  spear.  So  on  a  day  a  little  afore  the 
month  of  May,  Sir  Tristram  chased  an  hart  passing  eagerly, 
and  so  the  hart  passed  by  a  fair  well.  And  then  Sir  Tristram 
alighted  and  put  off  his  helm  to  drink  of  that  burbly  water. 
Right  so  he  heard  and  saw  the  Questing  Beast  come  to  the 
well.  When  Sir  Tristram  saw  that  beast  he  put  on  his 
helm,  for  he  deemed  he  should  hear  of  Sir  Palomides,  for 
that  beast  was  his  quest.  Right  so  Sir  Tristram  saw  where 
came  a  knight  armed,  upon  a  noble  courser,  and  he  saluted 
him,  and  they  spake  of  many  things  ;  and  this  knight's 
name  was  Breuse  Saunce  Pite\  And  right  so  withal  there 
came  unto  them  the  noble  knight  Sir  Palomides,  and  either 
saluted  other,  and  spake  fair  to  other. 

Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Palomides,  I  can  tell  you  tidings. 
What  is  that  ?  said  those  knights.  Sirs,  wit  ye  well  that 
King  Mark  is  put  in  prison  by  his  own  knights,  and  all 


' 


The  Questing  Beast. 


To  face  page  zi8. 


OF  SIR  BREUSE  SAUNCE  PITE  219 

was  for  love  of  Sir  Tristram  ;  for  King  Mark  had  put  Sir 
Tristram  in  prison,  and  Queen  La  Beale  Isoud  delivered 
him,  and  went  clearly  away  with  him  into  this  realm  ;  and 
all  this  while  King  Mark,  the  false  traitor,  is  in  prison.  Is 
this  truth  ?  said  Palomides  ;  then  shall  we  hastily  hear  of 
Sir  Tristram.  And  as  for  to  say  that  I  love  La  Beale  Isoud 
I  dare  make  good  that  I  do,  and  that  she  hath  my  service 
above  all  other  ladies,  and  shall  have  the  term  of  my  life. 

And  right  so  as  they  stood  talking  they  saw  afore  them 
where  came  a  knight  all  armed,  on  a  great  horse,  and  one 
of  his  men  bare  his  shield,  and  the  other  his  spear.  And 
anon  as  that  knight  espied  them  he  gat  his  shield  and  his 
spear  and  dressed  him  to  joust.  Fair  fellows,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  yonder  is  a  knight  will  joust  with  us,  let  see  which 
of  us  shall  encounter  with  him,  for  I  see  well  he  is  of  the 
court  of  King  Arthur.  It  shall  not  be  long  or  he  be  met 
withal,  said  Sir  Palomides,  for  I  found  never  no  knight  in 
my  quest  of  this  glasting  beast,  but  an  he  would  joust  I 
never  refused  him.  As  well  may  I,  said  Breuse  Saunce 
Pite,  follow  that  beast  as  ye.  Then  shall  ye  do  battle  with 
me,  said  Palomides. 

So  Sir  Palomides  dressed  him  unto  that  other  knight, 
Sir  Bleoberis,  that  was  a  full  noble  knight,  nigh  kin  unto 
Sir  Launcelot.  And  so  they  met  so  hard  that  Sir  Palo- 
mides fell  to  the  earth,  horse  and  all.  Then  Sir  Bleoberis 
cried  aloud  and  said  thus  :  Make  thee  ready  thou  false 
traitor  knight,  Breuse  Saunce  Pite\  for  wit  thou  certainly 
I  will  have  ado  with  thee  to  the  utterance  for  the  noble 
knights  and  ladies  that  thou  hast  falsely  betrayed.  When 
this  false  knight  and  traitor,  Breuse  Saunce  Pite,  heard  him 
say  so,  he  took  his  horse  by  the  bridle  and  fled  his  way  as 
fast  as  ever  his  horse  might  run,  for  sore  he  was  of  him 


220  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

afeard.  When  Sir  Bleoberis  saw  him  flee  he  followed  fast 
after,  through  thick  and  through  thin.  And  by  fortune 
as  Sir  Breuse  fled,  he  saw  even  afore  him  three  knights  of 
the  Table  Round,  of  the  which  the  one  hight  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris,  the  other  hight  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis,  the  third 
hight  Sir  Harry  le  Fise  Lake,  a  good  knight  and  an  hardy. 
And  as  for  Sir  Percivale,  he  was  called  that  time  of  his  time 
one  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world,  and  the  best  assured. 
When  Breuse  saw  these  knights  he  rode  straight  unto  them, 
and  cried  unto  them  and  prayed  them  of  rescues.  What 
need  have  ye  ?  said  Sir  Ector.  Ah,  fair  knights,  said  Sir 
Breuse,  here  followeth  me  the  most  traitor  knight,  and  most 
coward,  and  most  of  villainy  ;  his  name  is  Breuse  Saunce 
Pit£,  and  if  he  may  get  me  he  will  slay  me  without  mercy 
and  pity.  Abide  with  us,  said  Sir  Percivale,  and  we  shall 
warrant  you. 

Then  were  they  ware  of  Sir  Bleoberis  that  came  riding 
all  that  he  might.  Then  Sir  Ector  put  himself  forth  to 
joust  afore  them  all.  When  Sir  Bleoberis  saw  that  they 
were  four  knights  and  he  but  himself,  he  stood  in  a  doubt 
whether  he  would  turn  or  hold  his  way.  Then  he  said  to 
himself :  I  am  a  knight  of  the  Table  Round,  and  rather 
than  I  should  shame  mine  oath  and  my  blood  I  will  hold 
my  way  whatsoever  fall  thereof.  And  then  Sir  Ector 
dressed  his  spear,  and  smote  either  other  passing  sore,  but 
Sir  Ector  fell  to  the  earth.  That  saw  Sir  Percivale,  and 
he  dressed  his  horse  toward  him  all  that  he  might  drive, 
but  Sir  Percivale  had  such  a  stroke  that  horse  and  man  fell 
to  the  earth.  When  Sir  Harry  saw  that  they  were  both  to 
the  earth  then  he  said  to  himself :  Never  was  Breuse  of 
such  prowess.  So  Sir  Harry  dressed  his  horse,  and  they 
met  together  so  strongly  that  both  the  horses  and  knights 


OF  SIR  BREUSE  SAUNCE  PITE  221 

fell  to  the  earth,  but  Sir  Bleoberis'  horse  began  to  recover 
again.  That  saw  Breuse  and  he  came  hurtling,  and  smote 
him  over  and  over,  and  would  have  slain  him  as  he  lay  on 
the  ground.  Then  Sir  Harry  le  Fise  Lake  arose  lightly, 
and  took  the  bridle  of  Sir  Breuse's  horse,  and  said  :  Fie 
for  shame  !  strike  never  a  knight  when  he  is  at  the  earth, 
for  this  knight  may  be  called  no  shameful  knight  of  his 
deeds,  for  yet  as  men  may  see  thereas  he  lieth  on  the  ground 
he  hath  done  worshipfully,  and  put  to  the  worse  passing 
good  knights.  Therefore  will  I  not  let,  said  Sir  Breuse. 
Thou  shalt  not  choose,  said  Sir  Harry,  as  at  this  time.  Then 
when  Sir  Breuse  saw  that  he  might  not  choose  nor  have  his 
will  he  spake  fair.  Then  Sir  Harry  let  him  go.  And  then 
anon  he  made  his  horse  to  run  over  Sir  Bleoberis,  and  rashed 
him  to  the  earth  like  if  he  would  have  slain  him.  When 
Sir  Harry  saw  him  do  so  villainously  he  cried  :  Traitor 
knight,  leave  off  for  shame.  And  as  Sir  Harry  would  have 
taken  his  horse  to  fight  with  Sir  Breuse,  then  Sir  Breuse 
ran  upon  him  as  he  was  half  upon  his  horse,  and  smote  him 
down,  horse  and  man,  to  the  earth,  and  had  near  slain  Sir 
Harry,  the  good  knight.  That  saw  Sir  Percivale,  and 
then  he  cried  :  Traitor  knight,  what  dost  thou  ?  And 
when  Sir  Percivale  was  upon  his  horse  Sir  Breuse  took  his 
horse  and  fled  all  that  ever  he  might,  and  Sir  Percivale  and 
Sir  Harry  followed  after  him  fast,  but  ever  the  longer  they 
chased  the  farther  were  they  behind. 

Then  they  turned  again  and  came  to  Sir  Ector  de  Maris 
and  to  Sir  Bleoberis.  Ah,  fair  knights,  said  Bleoberis,  why 
have  ye  succoured  that  false  knight  and  traitor  ?  Why, 
said  Sir  Harry,  what  knight  is  he  ?  for  well  I  wot  it  is  a 
false  knight,  said  Sir  Harry,  and  a  coward  and  a  felonious 
knight.     Sir,  said  Bleoberis,  he  is  the  most  coward  knight, 


222  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

and  a  devourer  of  ladies  and  a  destroyer  of  good  knights, 
and  especially  of  Arthur's.  What  is  your  name  ?  said  Sir 
Ector.  My  name  is  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis.  Alas,  fair 
cousin,  said  Ector,  forgive  it  me,  for  I  am  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris.  Then  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir  Harry  made  great  joy 
that  they  met  with  Bleoberis,  but  all  they  were  heavy  that 
Sir  Breuse  was  escaped  them,  whereof  they  made  great  dole. 
Right  so  as  they  stood  thus  there  came  Sir  Palomides, 
and  when  he  saw  the  shield  of  Bleoberis  lie  on  the  earth, 
then  said  Palomides  :  He  that  oweth  that  shield  let  him 
dress  him  to  me,  for  he  smote  me  down  here  fast  by  at  a 
fountain,  and  therefore  I  will  fight  with  him  on  foot.  I  am 
ready,  said  Bleoberis,  here  to  answer  thee,  for  wit  thou  well, 
sir  knight,  it  was  I,  and  my  name  is  Bleoberis  de  Ganis. 
Well  art  thou  met,  said  Palomides,  and  wit  thou  well  my 
name  is  Palomides  the  Saracen  ;  and  either  of  them  hated 
other  to  the  death.  Sir  Palomides,  said  Ector,  wit  thou 
well  there  is  neither  thou  nor  none  knight  that  beareth  the 
life  that  slayeth  any  of  our  blood  but  he  shall  die  for  it ; 
therefore  an  thou  list  to  fight  go  seek  Sir  Launcelot  or  Sir 
Tristram,  and  there  shall  ye  find  your  match.  With  them 
have  I  met,  said  Palomides,  but  I  had  never  no  worship  of 
them.  Was  there  never  no  manner  of  knight,  said  Sir 
Ector,  but  they  that  ever  matched  with  you  ?  Yes,  said 
Palomides,  there  was  the  third,  a  good  knight  as  any  of 
them,  and  of  his  age  he  was  the  best  that  ever  I  found  ; 
for  an  he  might  have  lived  till  he  had  been  an  hardier  man 
there  liveth  no  knight  now  such,  and  his  name  was  Sir 
Lamorak  de  Galis.  And  as  he  had  jousted  at  a  tourna- 
ment there  he  overthrew  me  and  thirty  knights  more,  and 
there  he  won  the  degree.  And  at  his  departing  there  met 
him  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren,  and  with  great  pain  they 


HOW  DINADAN  MOCKED  AT  LOVERS    223 

slew  him  feloniously,  unto  all  good  knights'  great  damage. 
Anon  as  Sir  Percivale  heard  that  his  brother  was  dead,  Sir 
Lamorak,  he  fell  over  his  horse's  mane  swooning,  and  there 
he  made  the  greatest  dole  that  ever  made  knight.  And 
when  Sir  Percivale  arose  he  said  :  Alas,  my  good  and  noble 
brother  Sir  Lamorak,  now  shall  we  never  meet,  and  I  trow 
in  all  the  wide  world  a  man  may  not  find  such  a  knight  as 
he  was  of  his  age  ;  and  it  is  too  much  to  suffer  the  death 
of  our  father  King  Pellinore,  and  now  the  death  of  our 
good  brother  Sir  Lamorak. 

Then  in  the  meanwhile  there  came  a  varlet  from  the 
court  of  King  Arthur,  and  told  them  of  the  great  tourna- 
ment that  should  be  at  Lonazep,  and  how  these  lands, 
Cornwall  and  Northgalis,  should  be  against  all  them  that 
would  come. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  MET  WITH  SIR  DINA- 
DAN, AND  OF  THEIR  DEVICES,  AND  HOW 
SIR  DINADAN  WAS  SENT  FOR  BY  LA 
BEALE  ISOUD,  AND  HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  IN 
JOUSTING  WITH  SIR  PALOMIDES  WAS  KNOWN 
BY  SIR  DINADAN.  Now  turn  we  unto  Sir  Tristram,  that 
as  he  rode  a-hunting  he  met  with  Sir  Dinadan,  that  was  come 
into  that  country  to  seek  Sir  Tristram.  Then  Sir  Dinadan  told 
Sir  Tristram  his  name,  but  Sir  Tristram  would  not  tell  him 
his  name,  wherefore  Sir  Dinadan  was  wroth.  For  such  a 
foolish  knight  as  ye  are,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  I  saw  but  late  this 
day  lying  by  a  well,  and  he  fared  as  he  slept ;  and  there  he 
lay  like  a  fool  grinning,  and  would  not  speak,  and  his  shield 
lay  by  him,  and  his  horse  stood  by  him  ;  and  well  I  wot 
he  was  a  lover.  Ah,  fair  sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  are  ye  not 
a  lover  ?    Mary,  fie  on  that  craft  !  said  Sir  Dinadan.     That 


224  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

is  evil  said,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  a  knight  may  never  be  of 
prowess  but  if  he  be  a  lover.  It  is  well  said,  said  Sir  Dinadan  ; 
now  tell  me  your  name,  sith  ye  be  a  lover,  or  else  I  shall 
do  batde  with  you.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  it  is 
no  reason  to  fight  with  me  but  I  tell  you  my  name  ;  and 
as  for  that  my  name  shall  ye  not  wit  as  at  this  time.  Fie 
for  shame,  said  Dinadan,  art  thou  a  knight  and  durst  not 
tell  thy  name  to  me  ?  therefore  I  will  fight  with  thee.  As 
for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will  be  advised,  for  I  will  not 
do  batde  but  if  me  list.  And  if  I  do  batde,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
ye  are  not  able  to  withstand  me.  Fie  on  thee,  coward,  said 
Sir  Dinadan. 

And  thus  as  they  hoved  still,  they  saw  a  knight  come 
riding  against  them.  Lo,  said  Sir  Tristram,  see  where 
cometh  a  knight  riding,  will  joust  with  you.  Anon,  as 
Sir  Dinadan  beheld  him  he  said  :  That  is  the  same  doted 
knight  that  I  saw  lie  by  the  well,  neither  sleeping  nor  waking. 
Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  know  that  knight  well  with  the 
covered  shield  of  azure,  he  is  the  king's  son  of  Northumber- 
land, his  name  is  Epinegris  ;  and  he  is  as  great  a  lover  as 
I  know,  and  he  loveth  the  king's  daughter  of  Wales,  a  full 
fair  lady.  And  now  I  suppose,  said  Sir  Tristram,  an  ye 
require  him  he  will  joust  with  you,  and  then  shall  ye  prove 
whether  a  lover  be  a  better  knight,  or  ye  that  will  not  love 
no  lady.  Well,  said  Dinadan,  now  shalt  thou  see  what  I 
shall  do.  Therewithal  Sir  Dinadan  spake  on  high  and  said  : 
Sir  knight,  make  thee  ready  to  joust  with  me,  for  it  is  the 
custom  of  errant  knights  one  to  joust  with  other.  Sir,  said 
Epinegris,  is  that  the  rule  of  you  errant  knights  for  to  make 
a  knight  to  joust,  will  he  or  nill  ?  As  for  that,  said  Dinadan, 
make  thee  ready,  for  here  is  for  me.  And  therewithal 
they  spurred  their  horses  and  met  together  so  hard  that 


OF  LA  BEALE  ISOUD  AND  SIR  DINADAN   225 

Epinegris  smote  down  Sir  Dinadan.  Then  Sir  Tristram 
rode  to  Sir  Dinadan  and  said  :  How  now,  meseemeth  the 
lover  hath  well  sped.  Fie  on  thee,  coward,  said  Sir  Dinadan, 
and  if  thou  be  a  good  knight  revenge  me.  Nay,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  I  will  not  joust  as  at  this  time,  but  take  your 
horse  and  let  us  go  hence.  Defend  me,  said  Sir  Dinadan, 
from  thy  fellowship,  for  I  never  sped  well  since  I  met  with 
thee  :  and  so  they  departed.  Well,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
peradventure  I  could  tell  you  tidings  of  Sir  Tristram.  God 
defend  me,  said  Dinadan,  from  thy  fellowship,  for  Sir 
Tristram  were  mickle  the  worse  an  he  were  in  thy  company  : 
and  then  they  departed.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  yet  it  may 
happen  I  shall  meet  with  you  in  other  places. 

So  rode  Sir  Tristram  unto  Joyous  Gard,  and  told  La 
Beale  Isoud  of  all  his  adventure,  as  ye  have  heard  to-fore. 
And  when  she  heard  him  tell  of  Sir  Dinadan  :  Sir,  said  she,  is 
not  that  he  that  made  the  song  by  King  Mark  ?  That  same 
is  he,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  is  the  best  bourder  and  japer, 
and  a  noble  knight  of  his  hands,  and  the  best  fellow  that  I 
know,  and  all  good  knights  love  his  fellowship.  Alas,  sir,  said 
she,  why  brought  ye  not  him  with  you  ?  Have  ye  no  care, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  rideth  to  seek  me  in  this  country  ; 
and  therefore  he  will  not  away  till  he  have  met  with  me. 
And  there  Sir  Tristram  told  La  Beale  Isoud  how  Sir  Dinadan 
held  against  all  lovers.  Right  so  there  came  in  a  varlet 
and  told  Sir  Tristram  how  there  was  come  an  errant  knight 
into  the  town,  with  such  colours  upon  his  shield.  That 
is  Sir  Dinadan,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  wit  ye  what  ye  shall 
do,  said  Sir  Tristram  :  send  ye  for  him,  my  Lady  Isoud, 
and  I  will  not  be  seen,  and  ye  shall  hear  the  merriest  knight 
that  ever  ye  spake  withal,  and  the  maddest  talker  ;  and  I 
pray  you  heartily  that  ye  make  him  good  cheer. 


226  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Then  anon  La  Beale  Isoud  sent  into  the  town,  and 
prayed  Sir  Dinadan  that  he  would  come  into  the  castle  and 
repose  him  there  with  a  lady.  With  a  good  will,  said  Sir 
Dinadan  ;  and  so  he  mounted  upon  his  horse  and  rode 
into  the  castle  ;  and  there  he  alighted,  and  was  unarmed, 
and  brought  into  the  castle.  Anon  La  Beale  Isoud  came 
unto  him,  and  either  saluted  other  ;  then  she  asked  him 
of  whence  that  he  was.  Madam,  said  Dinadan,  I  am  of 
the  court  of  King  Arthur,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round, 
and  my  name  is  Sir  Dinadan.  What  do  ye  in  this  country  ? 
said  La  Beale  Isoud.  Madam,  said  he,  I  seek  Sir  Tristram 
the  good  knight,  for  it  was  told  me  that  he  was  in  this  country. 
It  may  well  be,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  but  I  am  not  ware  of 
him.  Madam,  said  Dinadan,  I  marvel  of  Sir  Tristram  and 
mo  other  lovers,  what  aileth  them  to  be  so  mad  and  so  sotted 
upon  women.  Why,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  are  ye  a  knight 
and  be  no  lover  ?  it  is  shame  to  you  :  wherefore  ye  may 
not  be  called  a  good  knight  but  if  ye  make  a  quarrel  for 
a  lady.  Defend  me,  said  Dinadan,  for  the  joy  of  love  is 
too  short,  and  the  sorrow  thereof,  and  what  cometh  thereof, 
dureth  over  long.  Ah,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  say  ye  not  so, 
for  here  fast  by  was  the  good  knight  Sir  Bleoberis,  that 
fought  with  three  knights  at  once  for  a  damosel's  sake, 
and  he  won  her  afore  the  King  of  Northumberland.  It 
was  so,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  for  I  know  him  well  for  a  good 
knight  and  a  noble,  and  come  of  noble  blood  ;  for  all  be 
noble  knights  of  whom  he  is  come  of,  that  is  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake. 

Now  I  pray  you,  said  La  Beale  Isoud,  tell  me  will  you 
fight  for  my  love  with  three  knights  that  do  me  great  wrong  ? 
and  insomuch  as  ye  be  a  knight  of  King  Arthur's  I  require 
you  to  do  battle  for  me.     Then  Sir  Dinadan  said  :    I  shall 


HOW  SIR  DINADAN  MET  SIR  TRISTRAM   227 

say  you  ye  be  as  fair  a  lady  as  ever  I  saw  any,  and  much 
fairer  than  is  my  lady  Queen  Guenever,  but  wit  ye  well  at 
one  word,  I  will  not  fight  for  you  with  three  knights. 
Then  Isoud  laughed,  and  had  good  game  at  him.  So  he 
had  all  the  cheer  that  she  might  make  him,  and  there  he 
lay  all  that  night.  And  on  the  morn  early  Sir  Tristram 
armed  him,  and  La  Beale  Isoud  gave  him  a  good  helm  ; 
and  then  he  promised  her  that  he  would  meet  with  Sir 
Dinadan,  and  they  two  would  ride  together  into  Lonazep, 
where  the  tournament  should  be  :  And  there  shall  I  make 
ready  for  you  where  ye  shall  see  the  tournament.  Then 
departed  Sir  Tristram  with  two  squires  that  bare  his  shield 
and  his  spears  that  were  great  and  long. 

Then  after  that  Sir  Dinadan  departed,  and  rode  his 
way  a  great  pace  until  he  had  overtaken  Sir  Tristram. 
And  when  Sir  Dinadan  had  overtaken  him  he  knew  him 
anon,  and  he  hated  the  fellowship  of  him  above  all  other 
knights.  Ah,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  art  thou  that  coward 
knight  that  I  met  with  yesterday  ?  keep  thee,  for  thou 
shalt  joust  with  me  maugre  thy  head.  Well,  said  Sir  Tris- 
tram, and  I  am  loath  to  joust.  And  so  they  let  their  horses 
run,  and  Sir  Tristram  missed  of  him  a-purpose,  and  Sir 
Dinadan  brake  a  spear  upon  Sir  Tristram,  and  therewith 
Sir  Dinadan  dressed  him  to  draw  out  his  sword.  Not  so, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  why  are  ye  so  wroth  ?  I  will  not  fight 
Fie  on  thee,  coward,  said  Dinadan,  thou  shamest  all  knights. 
As  for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  care  not,  for  I  will  wait 
upon  you  and  be  under  your  protection  ;  for  because  ye 
are  so  good  a  knight  ye  may  save  me.  The  devil  deliver 
me  of  thee,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  for  thou  art  as  goodly  a  man 
of  arms  and  of  thy  person  as  ever  I  saw,  and  the  most  coward 
that  ever  I  saw.     What  wilt  thou  do  with  those  great  spears 


228  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

that  thou  carriest  with  thee  ?  I  shall  give  them,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  to  some  good  knight  when  I  come  to  the  tourna- 
ment ;   and  if  I  see  you  do  best,  I  shall  give  them  to  you. 

So  thus  as  they  rode  talking  they  saw  where  came  an 
errant  knight  afore  them,  that  dressed  him  to  joust.  Lo, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  yonder  is  one  will  joust ;  now  dress  thee 
to  him.  Ah,  shame  betide  thee,  said  Sir  Dinadan.  Nay, 
not  so,  said  Tristram,  for  that  knight  beseemeth  a  shrew. 
Then  shall  I,  said  Sir  Dinadan.  And  so  they  dressed  their 
shields  and  their  spears,  and  they  met  together  so  hard 
that  the  other  knight  smote  down  Sir  Dinadan  from  his 
horse.  Lo,  said  Sir  Tristram,  it  had  been  better  ye  had 
left.  Fie  on  thee,  coward,  said  Sir  Dinadan.  Then  Sir 
Dinadan  started  up  and  gat  his  sword  in  his  hand,  and 
proffered  to  do  battle  on  foot.  Whether  in  love  or  in 
wrath  ?  said  the  other  knight.  Let  us  do  battle  in  love, 
said  Sir  Dinadan.  What  is  your  name,  said  that  knight,  I 
pray  you  tell  me.  Wit  ye  well  my  name  is  Sir  Dinadan. 
Ah,  Dinadan,  said  that  knight,  and  my  name  is  Gareth, 
the  youngest  brother  unto  Sir  Gawaine.  Then  either 
made  of  other  great  cheer,  for  this  Gareth  was  the  best 
knight  of  all  the  brethren,  and  he  proved  a  good  knight. 
Then  they  took  their  horses,  and  there  they  spake  of  Sir 
Tristram,  how  such  a  coward  he  was  ;  and  every  word 
Sir  Tristram  heard  and  laughed  them  to  scorn. 

Then  were  they  ware  where  came  a  knight  afore  them 
well  horsed  and  well  armed,  and  he  made  him  ready  to 
joust.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Tristram,  look  betwixt  you 
who  shall  joust  with  yonder  knight,  for  I  warn  you  I  will 
not  have  ado  with  him.  Then  shall  I,  said  Sir  Gareth. 
And  so  they  encountered  together,  and  there  that  knight 
smote  down  Sir  Gareth  over  his  horse's  croup.     How  now, 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  PALOMIDES    229 

said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Sir  Dinadan,  dress  thee  now  and 
revenge  the  good  knight  Gareth.  That  shall  I  not,  said 
Sir  Dinadan,  for  he  hath  stricken  down  a  much  bigger 
knight  than  I  am.  Ah,  said  Sir  Tristram,  now  Sir  Dinadan, 
I  see  and  feel  well  your  heart  faileth  you,  therefore  now 
shall  ye  see  what  I  shall  do.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  hurded 
unto  that  knight,  and  smote  him  quite  from  his  horse.  And 
when  Sir  Dinadan  saw  that,  he  marvelled  gready  ;  and  then 
he  deemed  that  it  was  Sir  Tristram. 

Then  this  knight  that  was  on  foot  pulled  out  his  sword 
to  do  batde.  What  is  your  name  ?  said  Sir  Tristram.  Wit 
ye  well,  said  that  knight,  my  name  is  Sir  Palomides.  What 
knight  hate  ye  most  ?  said  Sir  Tristram.  Sir  knight,  said 
he,  I  hate  Sir  Tristram  to  the  death,  for  an  I  may  meet 
with  him  the  one  of  us  shall  die.  Ye  say  well,  said  Sir  Tris- 
tram, and  wit  ye  well  that  I  am  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones, 
and  now  do  your  worst.  When  Sir  Palomides  heard  him 
say  so  he  was  astonied.  And  then  he  said  thus  :  I  pray 
you,  Sir  Tristram,  forgive  me  all  mine  evil  will,  and  if  I 
live  I  shall  do  you  service  above  all  other  knights  that  be 
living  ;  and  whereas  I  have  owed  you  evil  will  me  sore 
repenteth.  I  wot  not  what  aileth  me,  for  meseemeth  that 
ye  are  a  good  knight,  and  none  other  knight  that  named 
himself  a  good  knight  should  not  hate  you  ;  therefore  I 
require  you,  Sir  Tristram,  take  no  displeasure  at  mine 
unkind  words.  Sir  Palomides,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  say 
well,  and  well  I  wot  ye  are  a  good  knight,  for  I  have  seen 
ye  proved  ;  and  many  great  enterprises  have  ye  taken 
upon  you,  and  well  achieved  them  ;  therefore,  said  Sir 
Tristram,  an  ye  have  any  evil  will  to  me,  now  may  ye  right 
it,  for  I  am  ready  at  your  hand.  Not  so,  my  lord  Sir  Tris- 
tram, I  will  do  you  knighdy  service  in  all  thing  as  ye  will 


230  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

command.  And  right  so  I  will  take  you,  said  Sir  Tristram. 
And  so  they  rode  forth  on  their  ways  talking  of  many  things. 

0  my  lord  Sir  Tristram,  said  Dinadan,  foul  have  ye  mocked 
me,  for  God  knoweth  I  came  into  this  country  for  your 
sake,  and  by  the  advice  of  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  yet 
would  not  Sir  Launcelot  tell  me  the  certainty  of  you,  where 

1  should  find  you.  Truly,  said  Sir  Tristram,  Sir  Launcelot 
wist  well  where  I  was,  for  I  abode  within  his  own  castle. 

HOW  THEY  APPROACHED  THE 
CASTLE  LONAZEP,  AND  HOW  THEY 
TALKED  OF  THE  DEATH  OF  SIR 
LAMORAK,  AND  HOW  ON  HUMBER 
BANK  THEY  FOUND  A  SHIP,  WHERE- 
IN LAY  THE  BODY  OF  KING  HERMANCE.  Thus 
they  rode  until  they  were  ware  of  the  Casde  Lonazep.  And 
then  were  they  ware  of  four  hundred  tents  and  pavilions, 
and  marvellous  great  ordinance.  So  God  me  help,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  yonder  I  see  the  greatest  ordinance  that  ever 
I  saw.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  meseemeth  that  there  was  as 
great  an  ordinance  at  the  Casde  of  Maidens  upon  the  rock, 
where  ye  won  the  prize,  for  I  saw  myself  where  ye  for- 
jousted  thirty  knights.  Sir,  said  Dinadan,  and  in  Surluse, 
at  that  tournament  that  Galahalt  of  the  Long  Isles  made, 
the  which  there  dured  seven  days,  was  as  great  a  gathering 
as  is  here,  for  there  were  many  nations.  Who  was  the 
best  ?  said  Sir  Tristram.  Sir,  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake  and  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  and  Sir 
Launcelot  won  the  degree.  I  doubt  not,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
but  he  won  the  degree,  so  he  had  not  been  overmatched 
with  many  knights  ;  and  of  the  death  of  Sir  Lamorak,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  it  was  over  great  pity,  for  I  dare  say  he  was 


OF  THE  DEATH  OF  SIR  LAMORAK       231 

the  cleanest  mighted  man  and  the  best  winded  of  his  age 
that  was  alive  ;  for  I  knew  him  that  he  was  the  biggest 
knight  that  ever  I  met  withal,  but  if  it  were  Sir  Launcelot. 
Alas,  said  Sir  Tristram,  full  woe  is  me  for  his  death.  And 
if  they  were  not  the  cousins  of  my  lord  Arthur  that  slew 
him,  they  should  die  for  it,  and  all  those  that  were  con- 
senting to  his  death.  And  for  such  things,  said  Sir  Tris- 
tram, I  fear  to  draw  unto  the  court  of  my  lord  Arthur  ;  I 
will  that  ye  wit  it,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Gareth. 

Sir,  I  blame  you  not,  said  Gareth,  for  well  I  understand 
the  vengeance  of  my  brethren  Sir  Gawaine,  Agravaine, 
Gaheris,  and  Mordred.  But  as  for  me,  said  Sir  Gareth, 
I  meddle  not  of  their  matters,  therefore  there  is  none  of 
them  that  loveth  me.  And  for  I  understand  they  be 
murderers  of  good  knights  I  left  their  company  ;  and 
God  would  I  had  been  by,  said  Gareth,  when  the  noble 
knight,  Sir  Lamorak,  was  slain.  Now  as  Jesu  be  my  help, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  it  is  well  said  of  you,  for  I  had  liefer  than 
all  the  gold  betwixt  this  and  Rome  I  had  been  there.  Y-wis, 
said  Palomides,  and  so  would  I  had  been  there,  and  yet 
had  I  never  the  degree  at  no  jousts  nor  tournament  thereas 
he  was,  but  he  put  me  to  the  worse,  or  on  foot  or  on  horse- 
back ;  and  that  day  that  he  was  slain  he  did  the  most  deeds 
of  arms  that  ever  I  saw  knight  do  in  all  my  life  days.  And 
when  him  was  given  the  degree  by  my  lord  Arthur,  Sir 
Gawaine  and  his  three  brethren,  Agravaine,  Gaheris,  and 
Sir  Mordred,  set  upon  Sir  Lamorak  in  a  privy  place,  and 
there  they  slew  his  horse.  And  so  they  fought  with  him 
on  foot  more  than  three  hours,  both  before  him  and  behind 
him  ;  and  Sir  Mordred  gave  him  his  death  wound  behind 
him  at  his  back,  and  all  to-hew  him  :  for  one  of  his  squires 
told  me  that  saw  it.     Fie  upon  treason,  said  Sir  Tristram, 

R 


232  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

for  it  killeth  my  heart  to  hear  this  tale.  So  it  doth  mine, 
said  Gareth  ;  brethren  as  they  be  mine  I  shall  never  love 
them,  nor  draw  in  their  fellowship  for  that  deed. 

So  thus  they  rode  until  that  they  came  to  Humber 
bank,  where  they  heard  a  cry  and  a  doleful  noise.  Then 
were  they  ware  in  the  wind  where  came  a  rich  vessel  covered 
over  with  red  silk,  and  the  vessel  landed  fast  by  them. 
Therewith  Sir  Tristram  alighted  and  his  knights.  And 
so  Sir  Tristram  went  afore  and  entered  into  that  vessel. 
And  when  he  came  within  he  saw  a  fair  bed  richly  covered, 
and  thereupon  lay  a  dead  seemly  knight,  all  armed  save 
the  head,  was  all  be-bled  with  deadly  wounds  upon  him, 
the  which  seemed  to  be  a  passing  good  knight.  How 
may  this  be,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  this  knight  is  thus  slain  ? 
Then  Sir  Tristram  was  ware  of  a  letter  in  the  dead  knight's 
hand.  Master  mariners,  said  Sir  Tristram,  what  meaneth 
that  letter  ?  Sir,  said  they,  in  that  letter  ye  shall  hear  and 
know  how  he  was  slain,  and  for  what  cause,  and  what  was 
his  name.  But  sir,  said  the  mariners,  wit  ye  well  that  no 
man  shall  take  that  letter  and  read  it  but  if  he  be  a  good 
knight,  and  that  he  will  faithfully  promise  to  revenge  his 
death,  else  shall  there  be  no  knight  see  that  letter  open. 
Wit  ye  well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  some  of  us  may  revenge 
his  death  as  well  as  other,  and  if  it  be  so  as  ye  mariners  say 
his  death  shall  be  revenged.  And  therewith  Sir  Tristram 
took  the  letter  out  of  the  knight's  hand,  and  it  said  thus  : 
Hermance,  king  and  lord  of  the  Red  City,  I  send  unto  all 
knights  errant,  recommending  unto  you  noble  knights  of 
Arthur's  court.  I  beseech  them  all  among  them  to  find 
one  knight  that  will  fight  for  my  sake  with  two  brethren 
that  I  brought  up  of  nought,  and  feloniously  and  traitorly 
they  have  slain  me  ;   wherefore  I  beseech  one  good  knight 


HOW  PALOMIDES  SAILED  ALONG  HUMBER    233 

to  revenge  my  death.     And  he  that  revengeth  my  death 
I  will  that  he  have  my  Red  City  and  all  my  castles. 

Sir,  said  the  mariners,  wit  ye  well  this  king  and  knight 
that  here  lieth  was  a  full  worshipful  man  and  of  full  great 
prowess,  and  full  well  he  loved  all  manner  knights  errants. 
Here  is  a  piteous  case,  said  Sir  Tristram,  and  full  fain  would 
I  take  this  enterprise  upon  me  ;  but  I  have  made  such  a 
promise  that  needs  I  must  be  at  this  great  tournament,  or 
else  I  am  shamed.  For  well  I  wot  for  my  sake  in  especial 
my  lord  Arthur  let  make  this  jousts  and  tournament  in  this 
country  ;  and  well  I  wot  that  many  worshipful  people  will 
be  there  at  that  tournament  for  to  see  me  ;  therefore  I 
fear  me  to  take  this  enterprise  upon  me  that  I  shall  not 
come  again  by  time  to  this  jousts.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  I 
pray  you  give  me  this  enterprise,  and  ye  shall  see  me  achieve 
it  worshipfully,  other  else  I  shall  die  in  this  quarrel.  Well, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  and  this  enterprise  I  give  you,  with  this, 
that  ye  be  with  me  at  this  tournament  that  shall  be  as  this 
day  seven  night.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  I  promise  you  that 
I  shall  be  with  you  by  that  day  if  I  be  unslain  or  unmaimed. 

HOW  PALOMIDES  WENT  FOR  TO  FIGHT 
WITH  TWO  BRETHREN  FOR  THE  DEATH 
OF  KING  HERMANCE,  AND  SLEW  THEM, 
AND  CAME  UNTO  JOYOUS  GARD.  Then  Sir  Palo- 
mides sailed  evenlong  Humber  to  the  coasts  of  the  sea, 
where  was  a  fair  casde.  And  at  that  time  it  was  early 
in  the  morning,  afore  day.  Then  the  mariners  went 
unto  Sir  Palomides  that  slept  fast.  Sir  knight,  said  the 
mariners,  ye  must  arise,  for  here  is  a  casde  there  ye  must 
go  into.  I  assent  me,  said  Sir  Palomides  ;  and  therewithal 
he  arrived.     And  then  he  blew  his  horn  that  the  mariners 


234  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

had  given  him.  And  when  they  within  the  casde  heard 
that  horn  they  put  forth  many  knights  ;  and  there  they 
stood  upon  the  walls,  and  said  with  one  voice  :  Welcome 
be  ye  to  this  castle.  And  then  it  waxed  clear  day,  and  Sir 
Palomides  entered  into  the  castle.  And  within  a  while  he 
was  served  with  many  divers  meats.  Then  Sir  Palomides 
heard  about  him  much  weeping  and  great  dole.  What 
may  this  mean  ?  said  Sir  Palomides  ;  I  love  not  to  hear 
such  a  sorrow,  and  fain  I  would  know  what  it  meaneth. 
Then  there  came  afore  him  one  whose  name  was  Sir  Ebel, 
that  said  thus  :  Wit  ye  well,  sir  knight,  this  dole  and  sorrow 
is  here  made  every  day,  and  for  this  cause  :  we  had  a  king 
that  hight  Hermance,  and  he  was  King  of  the  Red  City, 
and  this  king  that  was  lord  was  a  noble  knight,  large  and 
liberal  of  his  expense  ;  and  in  the  world  he  loved  nothing 
so  much  as  he  did  errant  knights  of  King  Arthur's  court, 
and  all  jousting,  hunting,  and  all  manner  of  knightly  games  ; 
for  so  kind  a  king  and  knight  had  never  the  rule  of  poor 
people  as  he  was  ;  and  because  of  his  goodness  and  gende- 
ness  we  bemoan  him,  and  ever  shall.  And  all  kings  and 
estates  may  beware  by  our  lord,  for  he  was  destroyed  in 
his  own  default  ;  for  had  he  cherished  them  of  his  blood 
he  had  yet  lived  with  great  riches  and  rest :  but  all  estates 
may  beware  by  our  king.  But  alas,  said  Ebel,  that  we 
shall  give  all  other  warning  by  his  death. 

Tell  me,  said  Palomides,  and  in  what  manner  was  your 
lord  slain,  and  by  whom.  Sir,  said  Sir  Ebel,  our  king 
brought  up  of  children  two  men  that  now  are  perilous 
knights  ;  and  these  two  knights  our  king  had  so  in  charity, 
that  he  loved  no  man  nor  trusted  no  man  of  his  blood,  nor 
none  other  that  was  about  him.  And  by  these  two  knights 
our  king  was  governed,  and  so  they  ruled  him  peaceably 


HOW  KING  HERMANCE  WAS  SLAIN      235 

and  his  lands,  and  never  would  they  suffer  none  of  his  blood 
to  have  no  rule  with  our  king.  And  also  he  was  so  free 
and  so  gentle,  and  they  so  false  and  deceivable,  that  they 
ruled  him  peaceably  ;  and  that  espied  the  lords  of  our 
king's  blood,  and  departed  from  him  unto  their  own  liveli- 
hood. Then  when  these  two  traitors  understood  that  they 
had  driven  all  the  lords  of  his  blood  from  him,  they  were 
not  pleased  with  that  rule,  but  then  they  thought  to  have 
more,  as  ever  it  is  an  old  saw  :  Give  a  churl  rule  and  thereby 
he  will  not  be  sufficed  ;  for  whatsomever  he  be  that  is  ruled 
by  a  villain  born,  and  the  lord  of  the  soil  to  be  a  gendeman 
born,  the  same  villain  shall  destroy  all  the  gendemen  about 
him  :  therefore  all  estates  and  lords,  beware  whom  ye  take 
about  you.  And  if  ye  be  a  knight  of  King  Arthur's  court 
remember  this  tale,  for  this  is  the  end  and  conclusion.  My 
lord  and  king  rode  unto  the  forest  hereby  by  the  advice 
of  these  traitors,  and  there  he  chased  at  the  red  deer,  armed 
at  all  pieces  full  like  a  good  knight  ;  and  so  for  labour  he 
waxed  dry,  and  then  he  alighted,  and  drank  at  a  well. 
And  when  he  was  alighted,  by  the  assent  of  these  two  traitors, 
that  one  that  hight  Helius  he  suddenly  smote  our  king 
through  the  body  with  a  spear,  and  so  they  left  him  there. 
And  when  they  were  departed,  then  by  fortune  I  came  to 
the  well,  and  found  my  lord  and  king  wounded  to  the 
death.  And  when  I  heard  his  complaint,  I  let  bring  him 
to  the  water  side,  and  in  that  same  ship  I  put  him  alive  ; 
and  when  my  lord  King  Hermance  was  in  that  vessel,  he 
required  me  for  the  true  faith  I  owed  unto  him  for  to  write 
a  letter  in  this  manner. 

Recommending  unto  King  Arthur  and  to  all  his  knights 
errant,  beseeching  them  all  that  insomuch  as  I,  King  Her- 
mance, King  of  the  Red  City,  thus  am  slain  by  felony  and 


236  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

treason,  through  two  knights  of  mine  own,  and  of  mine 
own  bringing  up  and  of  mine  own  making,  that  some 
worshipful  knight  will  revenge  my  death,  insomuch  I  have 
been  ever  to  my  power  well  willing  unto  Arthur's  court. 
And  who  that  will  adventure  his  life  with  these  two  traitors 
for  my  sake  in  one  batde,  I,  King  Hermance,  King  of  the 
Red  City,  freely  give  him  all  my  lands  and  rents  that  ever 
I  wielded  in  my  life.  This  letter,  said  Ebel,  I  wrote  by  my 
lord's  commandment,  and  then  he  received  his  Creator  ; 
and  when  he  was  dead,  he  commanded  me  or  ever  he  were 
cold  to  put  that  letter  fast  in  his  hand.  And  then  he  com- 
manded me  to  put  forth  that  same  vessel  down  Humber, 
and  I  should  give  these  mariners  in  commandment  never 
to  stint  until  that  they  came  unto  Logris,  where  all  the  noble 
knights  shall  assemble  at  this  time.  And  there  shall  some 
good  knight  have  pity  on  me  to  revenge  my  death,  for 
there  was  never  king  nor  lord  falslier  nor  traitorlier  slain 
than  I  am  here  to  my  death.  Thus  was  the  complaint 
of  our  King  Hermance.  Now,  said  Sir  Ebel,  ye  know  all 
how  our  lord  was  betrayed,  we  require  you  for  God's  sake 
have  pity  upon  his  death,  and  worshipfully  revenge  his 
death,  and  then  may  ye  wield  all  these  lands.  For  we  all 
wit  well  that  an  ye  may  slay  these  two  traitors,  the  Red 
City  and  all  those  that  be  therein  will  take  you  for  their 
lord. 

Truly,  said  Sir  Palomides,  it  grieveth  my  heart  for  to 
hear  you  tell  this  doleful  tale  ;  and  to  say  the  truth  I  saw 
the  same  letter  that  ye  speak  of,  and  one  of  the  best  knights 
on  the  earth  read  that  letter  to  me,  and  by  his  command- 
ment I  came  hither  to  revenge  your  king's  death  ;  and 
therefore  have  done,  and  let  me  wit  where  I  shall  find  those 
traitors,  for  I  shall  never  be  at  ease  in  my  heart  till  I  be  in 


PALOMIDES  AT  THE  DELECTABLE  ISLE   237 

hands  with  them.  Sir,  said  Sir  Ebel,  then  take  your  ship 
again,  and  that  ship  must  bring  you  unto  the  Delectable 
Isle,  fast  by  the  Red  City,  and  we  in  this  castle  shall  pray 
for  you,  and  abide  your  again-coming. 

So  Sir  Palomides  took  his  ship,  and  arrived  up  at  the 
Delectable  Isle.  And  in  the  meanwhile  Sir  Hermind  that 
was  the  king's  brother,  he  arrived  up  at  the  Red  City,  and 
there  he  told  them  how  there  was  come  a  knight  of  King 
Arthur's  to  avenge  King  Hermance's  death  :  And  his 
name  is  Sir  Palomides,  the  good  knight,  that  for  the  most 
part  he  followeth  the  beast  Glatisant.  Then  all  the  city 
made  great  joy,  for  mickle  had  they  heard  of  Sir  Palomides, 
and  of  his  noble  prowess.  So  let  they  ordain  a  messenger, 
and  sent  unto  the  two  brethren,  and  bade  them  to  make 
them  ready,  for  there  was  a  knight  come  that  would  fight 
with  them  both.  So  the  messenger  went  unto  them  where 
they  were  at  a  castle  there  beside  ;  and  there  he  told  them 
how  there  was  a  knight  come  of  King  Arthur's  court  to 
fight  with  them  both  at  once.  He  is  welcome,  said  they  ; 
but  tell  us,  we  pray  you,  if  it  be  Sir  Launcelot  or  any  of  his 
blood  ?  He  is  none  of  that  blood,  said  the  messenger. 
Then  we  care  the  less,  said  the  two  brethren,  for  with  none 
of  the  blood  of  Sir  Launcelot  we  keep  not  to  have  ado 
withal.  Wit  ye  well,  said  the  messenger,  that  his  name  is 
Sir  Palomides,  that  yet  is  unchristened,  a  noble  knight. 
Well,  said  they,  an  he  be  now  unchristened  he  shall  never 
be  christened.  So  they  appointed  to  be  at  the  city  within 
two  days. 

So  within  the  third  day  there  came  to  the  city  chese 
two  brethren,  the  one  hight  Helius,  the  other  hight  Helake, 
the  which  were  men  of  great  prowess  ;  howbeit  that  they 
were  false  and  full  of  treason,  and  but  poor  men  born,  yet 


238  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

were  they  noble  knights  of  their  hands.  And  with  them 
they  brought  forty  knights,  to  that  intent  that  they  should 
be  big  enough  for  the  Red  City.  Thus  came  the  two 
brethren  with  great  bobaunce  and  pride,  for  they  had  put 
the  Red  City  in  fear  and  damage.  Then  they  were  brought 
to  the  lists,  and  Sir  Palomides  came  into  the  place  and  said 
thus  :  Be  ye  the  two  brethren,  Helius  and  Helake,  that 
slew  your  king  and  lord,  Sir  Hermance,  by  felony  and 
treason,  for  whom  that  I  am  come  hither  to  revenge  his 
death  ?  Wit  thou  well,  said  Sir  Helius  and  Sir  Helake, 
that  we  are  the  same  knights  that  slew  King  Hermance  ; 
and  wit  thou  well,  Sir  Palomides  Saracen,  that  we  shall 
handle  thee  so  ere  thou  depart  that  thou  shalt  wish  that 
thou  wert  christened.  It  may  well  be,  said  Sir  Palomides, 
for  yet  I  would  not  die  or  I  were  christened  ;  and  yet  so 
am  I  not  afeard  of  you  both,  but  I  trust  to  God  that  I  shall 
die  a  better  christian  man  than  any  of  you  both  ;  and 
doubt  ye  not,  said  Sir  Palomides,  either  ye  or  I  shall  be  left 
dead  in  this  place. 

Then  they  departed,  and  the  two  brethren  came  against 
Sir  Palomides,  and  he  against  them,  as  fast  as  their  horses 
might  run.  And  by  fortune  Sir  Palomides  smote  Helake 
through  his  shield  and  through  the  breast  more  than  a 
fathom.  All  this  while  Sir  Helius  held  up  his  spear,  and 
for  pride  and  orgulite  he  would  not  smite  Sir  Palomides 
with  his  spear  ;  but  when  he  saw  his  brother  lie  on  the 
earth,  and  saw  he  might  not  help  himself,  then  he  said 
unto  Sir  Palomides  :  Help  thyself.  And  therewith  he 
came  hurtling  unto  Sir  Palomides  with  his  spear,  and  smote 
him  quite  from  his  saddle.  Then  Sir  Helius  rode  over 
Sir  Palomides  twice  or  thrice.  And  therewith  Sir  Palomides 
was  ashamed,  and  gat  the  horse  of  Sir  Helius  by  the  bridle, 


HOW  KING  HERMANCE  WAS  AVENGED    239 

and  therewithal  the  horse  areared,  and  Sir  Palomides  halp 
after,  and  so  they  fell  both  to  the  earth  ;  but  anon  Sir 
Helius  stert  up  lighdy,  and  there  he  smote  Sir  Palomides 
a  great  stroke  upon  the  helm,  that  he  kneeled  upon  his  own 
knee.  Then  they  lashed  together  many  sad  strokes,  and 
traced  and  traversed,  now  backward,  now  sideling,  hurding 
together  like  two  boars,  and  that  same  time  they  fell  both 
grovelling  to  the  earth. 

Thus  they  fought  still  without  any  reposing  two  hours, 
and  never  breathed  ;  and  then  Sir  Palomides  waxed  faint 
and  weary,  and  Sir  Helius  waxed  passing  strong,  and  doubled 
his  strokes,  and  drove  Sir  Palomides  overthwart  and  endlong 
all  the  field,  that  they  of  the  city  when  they  saw  Sir  Palo- 
mides in  this  case  they  wept  and  cried,  and  made  great 
dole,  and  the  other  party  made  as  great  joy.  Alas,  said 
the  men  of  the  city,  that  this  noble  knight  should  thus  be 
slain  for  our  king's  sake.  And  as  they  were  thus  weeping 
and  crying,  Sir  Palomides  that  had  suffered  an  hundred 
strokes,  that  it  was  wonder  that  he  stood  on  his  feet,  at  the 
last  Sir  Palomides  beheld  as  he  might  the  common  people, 
how  they  wept  for  him  ;  and  then  he  said  to  himself  :  Ah, 
fie  for  shame,  Sir  Palomides,  why  hangest  thou  thy  head 
so  low  ;  and  therewith  he  bare  up  his  shield,  and  looked 
Sir  Helius  in  the  visage,  and  he  smote  him  a  great  stroke 
upon  the  helm,  and  after  that  another  and  another.  And 
then  he  smote  Sir  Helius  with  such  a  might  that  he  fell  to 
the  earth  grovelling  ;  and  then  he  raced  off  his  helm  from 
his  head,  and  there  he  smote  him  such  a  buffet  that  he 
departed  his  head  from  the  body.  And  then  were  the 
people  of  the  city  the  joyfullest  people  that  might  be.  So 
they  brought  him  to  his  lodging  with  great  solemnity, 
and  there  all  the  people  became  his  men.      And  then  Sir 


24o  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Palomides  prayed  them  all  to  take  keep  unto  all  the  lord- 
ship of  King  Hermance  :  For,  fair  sirs,  wit  ye  well  I  may  not 
as  at  this  time  abide  with  you,  for  I  must  in  all  haste  be  with 
my  lord  King  Arthur  at  the  Castle  of  Lonazep,  the  which 
I  have  promised.  Then  was  the  people  full  heavy  at  his 
departing,  for  all  that  city  proffered  Sir  Palomides  the 
third  part  of  their  goods  so  that  he  would  abide  with  them  ; 
but  in  no  wise  as  at  that  time  he  would  not  abide. 

And  so  Sir  Palomides  departed,  and  so  he  came  unto 
the  castle  thereas  Sir  Ebel  was  lieutenant.  And  when  they 
in  the  castle  wist  how  Sir  Palomides  had  sped,  there  was  a 
joyful  company ;  and  so  Sir  Palomides  departed,  and  came 
to  the  castle  of  Lonazep.  And  when  he  wist  that  Sir  Tris- 
tram was  not  there  he  took  his  way  over  Humber,  and  came 
unto  Joyous  Gard,  whereas  Sir  Tristram  was  and  La  Beale 
Isoud  ;  and  there  Sir  Tristram  talked  unto  Sir  Palomides 
of  his  battle,  how  he  sped  at  the  Red  City,  and  as  ye  have 
heard  afore  so  was  it  ended.  Truly,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I 
am  glad  ye  have  well  sped,  for  ye  have  done  worshipfully. 
Well,  said  Sir  Tristram,  we  must  forward  to-morn.  And 
then  he  devised  how  it  should  be  ;  and  Sir  Tristram  devised 
to  send  his  two  pavilions  to  set  them  fast  by  the  well  of 
Lonazep,  and  therein  shall  be  the  queen  La  Beale  Isoud. 
It  is  well  said,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  but  when  Sir  Palomides 
heard  of  that  his  heart  was  ravished  out  of  measure  :  not- 
withstanding he  said  but  little.  So  when  they  came  to 
Joyous  Gard  Sir  Palomides  would  not  have  gone  into  the 
castle,  but  as  Sir  Tristram  took  him  by  the  finger,  and  led 
him  into  the  castle.  And  when  Sir  Palomides  saw  La 
Beale  Isoud  he  was  ravished  so  that  he  might  scarce  speak. 
So  they  went  unto  meat,  but  Palomides  might  not  eat,  and 
there  was  all  the  cheer  that  might  be  had.     And  on  the 


OF  THE  TOURNEY  OF  LONAZEP         241 

morn  they  were  apparelled  to  ride  toward  Lonazep,  and 
came  to  the  well  where  Sir  Tristram's  two  pavilions  were 
set ;  and  there  they  alighted,  and  there  they  saw  many 
pavilions  and  great  array. 

OF  THE  TOURNAMENT  AT  LONA- 
ZEP, AND  HOW  THE  PRIZE  ON 
THE  FIRST  DAY  WAS  GIVEN 
TO  SIR  PALOMIDES.  Now  upon 
what  party,  said  Tristram,  is  it  best 
we  be  withal  as  to-morn  ?  Sir,  said  Palo- 
mides,  ye  shall  have  mine  advice  to  be 
against  King  Arthur  as  to-morn,  for  on 
his  party  will  be  Sir  Launcelot  and  many  good  knights  of 
his  blood  with  him.  And  the  more  men  of  worship  that  they 
be,  the  more  worship  we  shall  win.  That  is  full  knightly 
spoken,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  right  so  as  ye  counsel  me,  so 
will  we  do.  So  that  night  they  were  lodged  with  the  best. 
And  on  the  morn  when  it  was  day  they  were  arrayed  all  in 
green  trappings,  shields  and  spears,  and  La  Beale  Isoud  in 
the  same  colour,  and  her  three  damosels.  And  right  so 
these  four  knights  came  into  the  field  endlong  and  through. 
And  so  they  led  La  Beale  Isoud  thither  as  she  should  stand 
and  behold  all  the  jousts  in  a  bay  window  ;  but  always  she 
was  wimpled  that  no  man  might  see  her  visage.  And  then 
these  four  knights  rode  straight  unto  the  party  of  the  King 
of  Scots. 

Then  came  therein  two  brethren,  cousins  unto  Sir 
Gawaine,  the  one  hight  Sir  Edward,  that  other  hight  Sir 
Sadok,  the  which  were  two  good  knights  ;  and  they  asked 
of  King  Arthur  that  they  might  have  the  first  jousts,  for 
they  were  of  Orkney.     I  am  pleased,  said   King  Arthur. 


242  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Then  Sir  Edward  encountered  with  the  King  of  Scots,  in 
whose  party  was  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  ;  and  Sir 
Edward  smote  the  King  of  Scots  quite  from  his  horse,  and 
Sir  Sadok  smote  down  the  King  of  North  Wales,  and  gave 
him  a  wonder  great  fall,  that  there  was  a  great  cry  on  King 
Arthur's  party,  and  that  made  Sir  Palomides  passing  wroth. 
And  so  Sir  Palomides  dressed  his  shield  and  his  spear,  and 
with  all  his  might  he  met  with  Sir  Edward  of  Orkney,  that 
he  smote  him  so  hard  that  his  horse  might  not  stand  on  his 
feet,  and  so  they  hurtled  to  the  earth  ;  and  then  with  the 
same  spear  Sir  Palomides  smote  down  Sir  Sadok  over  his 
horse's  croup. 

This  meanwhile  there  came  into  the  place  Sir  Tristram 
upon  a  black  horse,  and  or  ever  he  stint  he  smote  down  with 
one  spear  four  good  knights  of  Orkney  that  were  of  the 
kin  of  Sir  Gawaine  ;  and  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Dinadan 
everych  of  them  smote  down  a  good  knight.  Then  Sir 
Tristram  made  to  horse  again  the  two  kings  that  Edward 
and  Sadok  had  unhorsed  at  the  beginning.  And  then  Sir 
Tristram  drew  his  sword  and  rode  into  the  thickest  of  the 
press  against  them  of  Orkney  ;  and  there  he  smote  down 
knights,  and  rashed  off  helms,  and  pulled  away  their  shields, 
and  hurtled  down  many  knights  :  he  fared  so  that  Sir 
Arthur  and  all  knights  had  great  marvel  when  they  saw 
one  knight  do  so  great  deeds  of  arms.  And  Sir  Palomides 
failed  not  upon  the  other  side,  but  did  so  marvellously  well 
that  all  men  had  wonder.  But  ever  Sir  Tristram  did  so 
much  deeds  of  arms  that  they  of  Orkney  waxed  weary  of 
him,  and  so  withdrew  them  unto  Lonazep. 

Then  was  the  cry  of  heralds  and  all  manner  of  common 
people  :  The  Green  Knight  hath  done  marvellously,  and 
beaten  all  them  of  Orkney.     And  there  the  heralds  num- 


SIR  TRISTRAM  UNHORSED  243 

bered  that  Sir  Tristram  that  sat  upon  the  black  horse  had 
smitten  down  with  spears  and  swords  thirty  knights  ;  and 
Sir  Palomides  had  smitten  down  twenty  knights,  and  the 
most  part  of  these  fifty  knights  were  of  the  house  of  King 
Arthur,  and  proved  knights.  This  is  a  great  shame  to  us, 
said  Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  to  see  four  knights  beat 
so  many  knights  of  mine  ;  and  therefore  make  you  ready, 
for  we  will  have  ado  with  them.  Sir,  said  Launcelot, 
wit  ye  well  that  these  are  two  passing  good  knights, 
and  great  worship  were  it  not  to  us  now  to  have  ado 
with  them,  for  they  have  this  day  sore  travailed.  As 
for  that,  said  Arthur,  I  will  be  avenged  ;  and  therefore 
take  with  you  Sir  Bleoberis  and  Sir  Ector,  and  I  will  be 
the  fourth,  said  Arthur.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  ye  shall  find 
me  ready,  and  my  brother  Sir  Ector,  and  my  cousin  Sir 
Bleoberis.  And  so  when  they  were  ready  and  on  horse- 
back :  Now  choose,  said  Sir  Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
with  whom  that  ye  will  encounter  withal.  Sir,  said  Launce- 
lot, I  will  meet  with  the  green  knight  upon  the  black  horse 
(that  was  Sir  Tristram)  ;  and  my  cousin  Sir  Bleoberis  shall 
match  the  green  knight  upon  the  white  horse  (that  was 
Sir  Palomides)  ;  and  my  brother  Sir  Ector  shall  match  with 
the  green  knight  upon  the  white  horse  (that  was  Sir  Gareth). 
Then  must  I,  said  Sir  Arthur,  have  ado  with  the  green 
knight  upon  the  grisled  horse  (and  that  was  Sir  Dinadan). 
Now  every  man  take  heed  to  his  fellow,  said  Sir  Launcelot. 
And  so  they  trotted  on  together,  and  there  encountered 
Sir  Launcelot  against  Sir  Tristram.  So  Sir  Launcelot 
smote  Sir  Tristram  so  sore  upon  the  shield  that  he  bare 
horse  and  man  to  the  earth  ;  but  Sir  Launcelot  weened  that 
it  had  been  Sir  Palomides,  and  so  he  passed  forth.  And 
then   Sir   Bleoberis   encountered   with   Sir   Palomides,   and 


244  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

he  smote  him  so  hard  upon  the  shield  that  Sir  Palomides 
and  his  white  horse  rustled  to  the  earth.  Then  Sir  Ector 
de  Maris  smote  Sir  Gareth  so  hard  that  down  he  fell  off 
his  horse.  And  the  noble  King  Arthur  encountered  with 
Sir  Dinadan,  and  he  smote  him  quite  from  his  saddle.  And 
then  the  noise  turned  awhile  how  the  green  knights  were 
slain  down. 

When  the  King  of  Northgalis  saw  that  Sir  Tristram 
had  a  fall,  then  he  remembered  him  how  great  deeds  of 
arms  Sir  Tristram  had  done.  Then  he  made  ready  many 
knights,  for  the  custom  and  cry  was  such,  that  what  knight 
were  smitten  down,  and  might  not  be  horsed  again  by  his 
fellows,  outher  by  his  own  strength,  that  as  that  day  he 
should  be  prisoner  unto  the  party  that  had  smitten  him 
down.  So  came  in  the  King  of  Northgalis,  and  he  rode 
straight  unto  Sir  Tristram  ;  and  when  he  came  nigh  him 
he  alighted  down  suddenly  and  betook  Sir  Tristram  his 
horse,  and  said  thus  :  Noble  knight,  I  know  thee  not  of 
what  country  that  thou  art,  but  for  the  noble  deeds  that 
thou  hast  done  this  day  take  there  my  horse,  and  let 
me  do  as  well  I  may  ;  for  thou  art  better  worthy  to  have 
mine  horse  than  I  myself.  Gramercy,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
and  if  I  may  I  shall  quite  you  :  look  that  ye  go  not 
far  from  us,  and  as  I  suppose,  I  shall  win  you  another 
horse.  And  therewith  Sir  Tristram  mounted  upon  his 
horse,  and  there  he  met  with  King  Arthur,  and  he  gave 
him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  with  his  sword  that  King 
Arthur  had  no  power  to  keep  his  saddle.  And  then  Sir 
Tristram  gave  the  King  of  Northgalis  King  Arthur's  horse. 
Then  was  there  great  press  about  King  Arthur  for  to  horse 
him  again  ;  but  Sir  Palomides  would  not  suffer  King 
Arthur  to  be  horsed  again,  but  ever  Sir  Palomides  smote 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  HIS  HARNESS   245 

on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand  mightily  as  a  noble 
knight.  And  this  meanwhile  Sir  Tristram  rode  through 
the  thickest  of  the  press,  and  smote  down  knights  on  the 
right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand,  and  raced  off  helms,  and 
so  passed  forth  unto  his  pavilions,  and  left  Sir  Palomides 
on  foot  ;  and  Sir  Tristram  changed  his  horse  and  disguised 
himself  all  in  red,  horse  and  harness. 

And  when  the  queen  La  Beale  Isoud  saw  that  Sir  Tris- 
tram was  unhorsed,  and  she  wist  not  where  he  was,  then 
she  wept  gready.  But  Sir  Tristram,  when  he  was  ready, 
came  dashing  lighdy  into  the  field,  and  then  La  Beale  Isoud 
espied  him.  And  so  he  did  great  deeds  of  arms  ;  with 
one  spear,  that  was  great,  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  five 
knights  or  ever  he  stint.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  espied  him 
readily,  that  it  was  Sir  Tristram,  and  then  he  repented 
him  that  he  had  smitten  him  down  ;  and  so  Sir  Launcelot 
went  out  of  the  press  to  repose  him  and  lighdy  he  came 
again.  And  now  when  Sir  Tristram  came  into  the  press, 
through  his  great  force  he  put  Sir  Palomides  upon  his  horse, 
and  Sir  Gareth,  and  Sir  Dinadan,  and  then  they  began  to 
do  marvellously  ;  but  Sir  Palomides  nor  none  of  his  two 
fellows  knew  not  who  had  holpen  them  on  horseback  again. 
But  ever  Sir  Tristram  was  nigh  them  and  succoured  them, 
and  they  knew  not  him,  because  he  was  changed  into  red 
armour.     And  all  this  while  Sir  Launcelot  was  away. 

So  when  La  Beale  Isoud  knew  Sir  Tristram  again  upon 
his  horse-back  she  was  passing  glad,  and  then  she  laughed 
and  made  good  cheer.  And  as  it  happened,  Sir  Palomides 
looked  up  toward  her  where  she  lay  in  the  window,  and 
he  espied  how  she  laughed  ;  and  therewith  he  took  such 
a  rejoicing  that  he  smote  down,  what  with  his  spear  and 
with  his  sword,  all  that  ever  he  met  ;   for  through  the  sight 


246  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

of  her  he  was  so  enamoured  in  her  love  that  he  seemed  at 
that  time,  that  an  both  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Launcelot 
had  been  both  against  him  they  should  have  won  no  worship 
of  him.  And  in  his  heart,  as  the  book  saith,  Sir  Palomides 
wished  that  with  his  worship  he  might  have  ado  with  Sir 
Tristram  before  all  men,  because  of  La  Beale  Isoud.  Then 
Sir  Palomides  began  to  double  his  strength,  and  he  did  so 
marvellously  that  all  men  had  wonder  of  him,  and  ever  he 
cast  up  his  eye  unto  La  Beale  Isoud.  And  when  he  saw 
her  make  such  cheer  he  fared  like  a  lion,  that  there  might 
no  man  withstand  him.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  beheld 
him,  how  that  Sir  Palomides  bestirred  him  ;  and  then  he 
said  unto  Sir  Dinadan  :  Sir  Palomides  is  a  passing  good 
knight  and  a  well  enduring,  but  such  deeds  saw  I  him 
never  do,  nor  never  heard  I  tell  that  ever  he  did  so  much 
in  one  day.  It  is  his  day,  said  Dinadan  ;  and  he  would 
say  no  more  unto  Sir  Tristram  ;  but  to  himself  he  said  : 
An  if  ye  knew  for  whose  love  he  doth  all  those  deeds  of 
arms,  soon  would  Sir  Tristram  abate  his  courage.  Alas, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  that  Sir  Palomides  is  not  christened. 
So  said  King  Arthur,  and  so  said  all  those  that  beheld  him. 
Then  all  people  gave  him  the  prize,  as  for  the  best  knight 
that  day,  that  he  passed  Sir  Launcelot  or  Sir  Tristram. 
Well,  said  Dinadan  to  himself,  all  this  worship  that  Sir 
Palomides  hath  here  this  day  he  may  thank  the  Queen 
Isoud,  for  had  she  been  away  this  day  Sir  Palomides  had 
not  gotten  the  prize  this  day. 

Right  so  came  into  the  field  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake, 
and  saw  and  heard  the  noise  and  cry  and  the  great  worship 
that  Sir  Palomides  had.  He  dressed  him  against  Sir  Palo- 
mides, with  a  great  mighty  spear  and  a  long,  and  thought 
to   smite  him   down.     And   when   Sir   Palomides   saw   Sir 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  SIR  PALOMIDES   247 

Launcelot  come  upon  him  so  fast,  he  ran  upon  Sir  Launcelot 
as  fast  with  his  sword  as  he  might ;  and  as  Sir  Launcelot 
should  have  stricken  him  he  smote  his  spear  aside,  and 
smote  it  a-two  with  his  sword.  And  Sir  Palomides  rashed 
unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  thought  to  have  put  him  to  a  shame  ; 
and  with  his  sword  he  smote  his  horse's  neck  that  Sir  Launce- 
lot rode  upon,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  fell  to  the  earth. 
Then  was  the  cry  huge  and  great  :  See  how  Sir  Palomides 
the  Saracen  hath  smitten  down  Sir  Launcelot's  horse.  Right 
then  were  there  many  knights  wroth  with  Sir  Palomides 
because  he  had  done  that  deed  ;  therefore  many  knights 
held  there  against  that  it  was  unknighdy  done  in  a  tourna- 
ment to  kill  an  horse  wilfully,  but  that  it  had  been  done  in 
plain  batde,  life  for  life. 

When  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  saw  Sir  Launcelot  his  brother 
have  such  a  despite,  and  so  set  on  foot,  then  he  gat  a  spear 
eagerly,  and  ran  against  Sir  Palomides,  and  he  smote  him 
so  hard  that  he  bare  him  quite  from  his  horse.  That  saw 
Sir  Tristram,  that  was  in  red  harness,  and  he  smote  down 
Sir  Ector  de  Maris  quite  from  his  horse.  Then  Sir  Launce- 
lot dressed  his  shield  upon  his  shoulder,  and  with  his  sword 
naked  in  his  hand,  and  so  came  straight  upon  Sir  Palomides 
fiercely  and  said  :  Wit  thou  well  thou  hast  done  me  this 
day  the  greatest  despite  that  ever  any  worshipful  knight 
did  to  me  in  tournament  or  in  jousts,  and  therefore  I  will 
be  avenged  upon  thee,  therefore  take  keep  to  yourself. 
Ah,  mercy,  noble  knight,  said  Palomides,  and  forgive  me 
mine  unkindly  deeds,  for  I  have  no  power  nor  might  to  with- 
stand you,  and  I  have  done  so  much  this  day  that  well  I 
wot  I  did  never  so  much,  nor  never  shall  in  my  life-days  ; 
and  therefore,  most  noble  knight,  I  require  thee  spare  me 
as  at  this  day,  and  I  promise  you  I  shall  ever  be  your  knight 


248  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

while  I  live  :  an  ye  put  me  from  my  worship  now,  ye  put 
me  from  the  greatest  worship  that  ever  I  had  or  ever  shall 
have  in  my  life-days.  Well,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  see, 
for  to  say  thee  sooth,  ye  have  done  marvellously  well  this 
day  ;  and  I  understand  a  part  for  whose  love  ye  do  it,  and 
well  I  wot  that  love  is  a  great  mistress.  And  if  my  lady 
were  here,  as  she  nis  not,  wit  you  well,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
ye  should  not  bear  away  the  worship.  But  beware  your 
love  be  not  discovered,  for  an  Sir  Tristram  may  know  it 
ye  will  repent  it  ;  and  sithen  my  quarrel  is  not  here,  ye 
shall  have  this  day  the  worship  as  for  me  ;  considering 
the  great  travail  and  pain  that  ye  have  had  this  day,  it  were 
no  worship  for  me  to  put  you  from  it.  And  therewithal 
Sir  Launcelot  suffered  Sir  Palomides  to  depart. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  by  great  force  and  might  gat  his 
own  horse  maugre  twenty  knights.  So  when  Sir  Launcelot 
was  horsed  he  did  many  marvels,  and  so  did  Sir  Tristram, 
and  Sir  Palomides  in  like  wise.  And  then  the  king  let 
blow  to  lodging  ;  and  because  Sir  Palomides  began  first, 
and  never  he  went  nor  rode  out  of  the  field  to  repose,  but 
ever  he  was  doing  marvellously  well  either  on  foot  or  on 
horseback,  and  longest  during,  King  Arthur  and  all  the  kings 
gave  Sir  Palomides  the  honour  and  the  gree  as  for  that  day. 

HOW  KING  ARTHUR  AND  SIR 
LAUNCELOT  CAME  TO  SEE  LA 
BEALE ISOUD,  ANDHOWPALO- 
MIDES  SMOTE  DOWN  KING 
ARTHUR,  ANDOFTHESECOND 
DAY  OF  THE  TOURNAMENT 
AND  OF  THE  TREASON  OF  SIR 
PALOMIDES  TO  SIR  TRISTRAM.     So  on  the  morn 


PALOMIDES  SMITES  DOWN  ARTHUR     249 

Sir  Tristram  was  ready,  and  La  Beale  Isoud  with  Sir  Palo- 
mides  and  Sir  Gareth.  And  so  they  rode  all  in  green 
full  freshly  beseen  unto  the  forest.  And  Sir  Tristram 
left  Sir  Dinadan  sleeping  in  his  bed.  And  so  as  they 
rode  it  happed  the  king  and  Launcelot  stood  in  a  window, 
and  saw  Sir  Tristram  ride  and  Isoud.  Sir,  said  Launcelot, 
yonder  rideth  the  fairest  lady  of  the  world  except  your 
queen,  Dame  Guenever.  Who  is  that  ?  said  Sir  Arthur. 
Sir,  said  he,  it  is  Queen  Isoud  that,  out-taken  my  lady  your 
queen,  she  is  makeless.  Take  your  horse,  siid  Arthur, 
and  array  you  at  all  rights  as  I  will  do,  and  I  promise  you, 
said  the  king,  I  will  see  her.  Then  anon  they  were  armed 
and  horsed,  and  either  took  a  spear  and  rode  unto  the  forest. 
Sir,  said  Launcelot,  it  is  not  good  that  ye  go  too  nigh  them, 
for  wit  ye  well  these  are  two  as  good  knights  as  now  are 
living,  and  therefore,  sir,  I  pray  you  be  not  too  hasty. 
For  peradventure  there  will  be  some  knights  be  displeased 
an  we  come  suddenly  upon  them.  As  for  that,  said  Arthur, 
I  will  see  her,  for  I  take  no  force  whom  I  grieve.  Sir,  said 
Launcelot,  ye  put  yourself  in  great  jeopardy.  As  for  that, 
said  the  king,  we  will  take  the  adventure.  Right  so  anon 
the  king  rode  even  to  her,  and  saluted  her,  and  said  :  God 
you  save.  Sir,  said  she,  ye  are  welcome.  Then  the  king 
beheld  her,  and  liked  her  wonderly  well. 

With  that  came  Sir  Palomides  unto  Arthur,  and  said  : 
Uncourteous  knight,  what  seekest  thou  here  ?  thou  art 
uncourteous  to  come  upon  a  lady  thus  suddenly,  therefore 
withdraw  thee.  Sir  Arthur  took  none  heed  of  Sir  Palo- 
mides' words,  but  ever  he  looked  still  upon  Queen  Isoud. 
Then  was  Sir  Palomides  wroth,  and  therewith  he  took  a 
spear,  and  came  hurtling  upon  King  Arthur,  and  smote 
him  down  with  a  spear.      When   Sir   Launcelot  saw  that 


250 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 


despite  of  Sir  Palomides,  he  said  to  himself :  I  am  loath 
to  have  ado  with  yonder  knight,  and  not  for  his  own  sake 
but  for  Sir  Tristram.  And  one  thing  I  am  sure  of,  if  I 
smite  down  Sir  Palomides  I  must  have  ado  with  Sir  Tris- 
tram, and  that  were  overmuch  for  me  to  match  them  both, 
for  they  are  two  noble  knights  ;  notwithstanding,  whether 
I  live  or  I  die,  needs  must  I  revenge  my  lord,  and  so  will 
I,  whatsomever  befall  of  me.  And  therewith  Sir  Launcelot 
cried  to  Sir  Palomides  :  Keep  thee  from  me.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Palomides  rushed  together  with  two 
spears  strongly,  but  Sir  Launcelot  smote  Sir  Palomides  so 
hard  that  he  went  quite  out  of  his  saddle,  and  had  a  great 
fall.  When  Sir  Tristram  saw  Sir  Palomides  have  that  fall, 
he  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Sir  knight,  keep  thee,  for  I  must 
joust  with  thee.  As  for  to  joust  with  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  will  not  fail  you,  for  no  dread  I  have  of  you  ;  but  I  am 
loath  to  have  ado  with  you  an  I  might  choose,  for  I  will 
that  ye  wit  that  I  must  revenge  my  special  lord  that  was 
unhorsed  unwarly  and  unknightly.  And  therefore,  though 
I  revenged  that  fall,  take  ye  no  displeasure  therein,  for  he 
is  to  me  such  a  friend  that  I  may  not  see  him  shamed. 

Anon  Sir  Tristram  understood  by  his  person  and  by 
his  knightly  words  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and 
verily  Sir  Tristram  deemed  that  it  was  King  Arthur,  he 
that  Sir  Palomides  had  smitten  down.  And  then  Sir 
Tristram  put  his  spear  from  him,  and  put  Sir  Palomides 
again  on  horseback,  and  Sir  Launcelot  put  King  Arthur 
on  horseback  and  so  departed.  Ye  did  not  worshipfully, 
said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Palomides,  when  ye  smote  down 
that  knight  so  suddenly  as  ye  did.  And  wit  ye  well 
ye  did  yourself  great  shame,  for  the  knights  came  hither 
of  their  gentleness  to  see  a  fair  lady  ;   and  that  is  every 


SECOND  DAY  OF  THE  TOURNEY         251 

good  knight's  part,  to  behold  a  fair  lady  ;  and  ye  had 
not  ado  to  play  such  masteries  afore  my  lady.  Wit  thou 
well  it  will  turn  to  anger,  for  he  that  ye  smote  down  was 
King  Arthur,  and  that  other  was  the  good  knight  Sir 
Launcelot.  But  I  shall  not  forget  the  words  of  Sir  Launce- 
lot  when  that  he  called  him  a  man  of  great  worship,  thereby 
I  wist  that  it  was  King  Arthur.  And  as  for  Sir  Launcelot, 
an  there  had  been  five  hundred  knights  in  the  meadow,  he 
would  not  have  refused  them,  and  yet  he  said  he  would 
refuse  me.  By  that  again  I  wist  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot, 
for  ever  he  forbeareth  me  in  every  place,  and  showeth  me 
great  kindness  ;  and  of  all  knights,  I  out-take  none,  say 
what  men  will  say,  he  beareth  the  flower  of  all  chivalry,  say 
it  him  whosomever  will.  An  he  be  well  angered,  and  that 
him  list  to  do  his  utterance  without  any  favour,  I  know  him 
not  alive  but  Sir  Launcelot  is  over  hard  for  him,  be  it  on 
horseback  or  on  foot.  I  may  never  believe,  said  Palomides, 
that  King  Arthur  will  ride  so  privily  as  a  poor  errant  knight. 
Ah,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  know  not  my  lord  Arthur,  for  all 
knights  may  learn  to  be  a  knight  of  him.  And  therefore 
ye  may  be  sorry,  said  Sir  Tristram,  of  your  unkindly  deeds 
to  so  noble  a  king.  And  a  thing  that  is  done  may  not  be 
undone,  said  Palomides.  Then  Sir  Tristram  sent  Queen 
Isoud  unto  her  lodging  in  the  priory,  there  to  behold  all 
the  tournament. 

Then  there  was  a  cry  unto  all  knights,  that  when  they 
heard  an  horn  blow  they  should  make  jousts  as  they  did  the 
first  day.  And  like  as  the  brethren  Sir  Edward  and  Sir 
Sadok  began  the  jousts  the  first  day,  Sir  Uwaine  the  king's 
son  Urien  and  Sir  Lucanere  de  Buttelere  began  the  jousts 
the  second  day.  And  at  the  first  encounter  Sir  Uwaine 
smote  down  the  King's  son  of  Scots  ;    and  Sir  Lucanere 


252  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

ran  against  the  King  of  Wales,  and  they  brake  their  spears 
all  to  pieces  ;  and  they  were  so  fierce  both,  that  they  hurded 
together  that  both  fell  to  the  earth. 

When  Sir  Tristram  saw  them  so  begin,  he  said  to  Palo- 
mides  :  How  feel  ye  yourself  ?  may  ye  do  this  day  as  ye 
did  yesterday  ?  Nay,  said  Palomides,  I  feel  myself  so 
weary,  and  so  sore  bruised  of  the  deeds  of  yesterday,  that 
I  may  not  endure  as  I  did  yesterday.  That  me  repenteth, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  for  I  shall  lack  you  this  day.  Sir  Palo- 
mides said  :  Trust  not  to  me,  for  I  may  not  do  as  I  did. 
All  these  words  said  Palomides  for  to  beguile  Sir  Tristram. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto  Sir  Gareth,  then  must  I  trust 
upon  you  ;  wherefore  I  pray  you  be  not  far  from  me  to 
rescue  me.  An  need  be,  said  Sir  Gareth,  I  shall  not  fail 
you  in  all  that  I  may  do.  Then  Sir  Palomides  rode  by 
himself  ;  and  then  in  despite  of  Sir  Tristram  he  put  himself 
in  the  thickest  press  among  them  of  Orkney,  and  there  he 
did  so  marvellously  deeds  of  arms  that  all  men  had  wonder 
of  him,  for  there  might  none  stand  him  a  stroke. 

When  Sir  Tristram  saw  Sir  Palomides  do  such  deeds, 
he  marvelled  and  said  to  himself :  He  is  weary  of  my 
company.  So  Sir  Tristram  beheld  him  a  great  while  and 
did  but  little  else,  for  the  noise  and  cry  was  so  huge  and 
great  that  Sir  Tristram  marvelled  from  whence  came  the 
strength  that  Sir  Palomides  had  there  in  the  field.  Sir, 
said  Sir  Gareth  unto  Sir  Tristram,  let  me  know  this  day 
what  ye  be  ;  and  wonder  ye  not  so  upon  Sir  Palomides, 
for  he  enforceth  himself  to  win  all  the  worship  and  honour 
from  you.  I  may  well  believe  it,  said  Sir  Tristram.  And 
sithen  I  understand  his  evil  will  and  his  envy,  ye  shall  see, 
if  that  I  enforce  myself,  that  the  noise  shall  be  left  that  now 
is  upon  him. 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  DINADAN  253 

Then  Sir  Tristram  rode  into  the  thickest  of  the  press, 
and  then  he  did  so  marvellously  well,  and  did  so  great  deeds 
of  arms,  that  all  men  said  that  Sir  Tristram  did  double  so 
much  deeds  of  arms  as  Sir  Palomides  had  done  aforehand. 
And  then  the  noise  went  plain  from  Sir  Palomides,  and  all 
the  people  cried  upon  Sir  Tristram. 

But  when  Sir  Palomides  heard  the  noise  and  the  cry 
was  turned  from  him,  he  rode  out  on  a  part  and  beheld 
Sir  Tristram.  And  when  Sir  Palomides  saw  Sir  Tristram 
do  so  marvellously  well  he  wept  passingly  sore  for  despite, 
for  he  wist  well  he  should  no  worship  win  that  day  ;  for 
well  knew  Sir  Palomides,  when  Sir  Tristram  would  put 
forth  his  strength  and  his  manhood,  he  should  get  but  little 
worship  that  day. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  rode  privily  out  of  the  press,  that 
none  espied  him  but  La  Beale  Isoud  and  Sir  Palomides,  for 
they  two  would  not  let  off  their  eyes  upon  Sir  Tristram. 
And  when  Sir  Tristram  came  to  his  pavilions  he  found  Sir 
Dinadan  in  his  bed  asleep.  Awake,  said  Tristram,  ye 
ought  to  be  ashamed  so  to  sleep  when  knights  have  ado  in 
the  field.  Then  Sir  Dinadan  arose  lightly  and  said  :  What 
will  ye  that  I  shall  do  ?  Make  you  ready,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
to  ride  with  me  into  the  field.  So  when  Sir  Dinadan  was 
armed  he  looked  upon  Sir  Tristram's  helm  and  on  his  shield, 
and  when  he  saw  so  many  strokes  upon  his  helm  and  upon 
his  shield  he  said  :  In  good  time  was  I  thus  asleep,  for  had 
I  been  with  you  I  must  needs  for  shame  there  have  followed 
you,  more  for  shame  than  any  prowess  that  is  in  me,  that 
I  see  well  now  by  those  strokes  that  I  should  have  been 
truly  beaten  as  I  was  yesterday.  Leave  your  japes,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  and  come  off,  that  we  were  in  the  field  again. 
What,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  is  your  heart  up  ?    yesterday  ye 


254  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

fared  as  though  ye  had  dreamed.  So  then  Sir  Tristram 
was  arrayed  in  black  harness.  What  aileth  you  this  day  ? 
said  Dinadan,  meseemeth  ye  be  wilder  than  ye  were  yester- 
day. Then  smiled  Sir  Tristram  and  said  to  Dinadan  : 
Await  well  upon  me  ;  if  ye  see  me  overmatched  look  that 
ye  be  ever  behind  me,  and  I  shall  make  you  ready  way  by 
God's  grace.  So  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Dinadan  took  their 
horses.  All  this  espied  Sir  Palomides,  both  their  going 
and  their  coming,  and  so  did  La  Beale  Isoud,  for  she  knew 
Sir  Tristram  above  all  other. 

Then  when  Sir  Palomides  saw  that  Sir  Tristram  was 
disguised,  then  he  thought  to  do  him  a  shame.  So  Sir 
Palomides  rode  to  a  knight  that  was  sore  wounded,  that 
sat  under  a  fair  well  from  the  field.  Sir  knight,  said  Sir 
Palomides,  I  pray  you  to  lend  me  your  armour  and  your 
shield,  for  mine  is  over-well  known  in  this  field,  and  that 
hath  done  me  great  damage  ;  and  ye  shall  have  mine  armour 
and  my  shield  that  is  as  sure  as  yours.  I  will  well,  said  the 
knight,  that  ye  have  mine  armour  and  my  shield,  if  they 
may  do  you  any  avail.  So  Sir  Palomides  armed  him  hastily 
in  that  knight's  armour  and  his  shield  that  shone  as  any 
crystal  or  silver,  and  so  he  came  riding  into  the  field.  And 
then  there  was  neither  Sir  Tristram  nor  none  of  King 
Arthur's  party  that  knew  Sir  Palomides.  And  right  so  as 
Sir  Palomides  was  come  into  the  field  Sir  Tristram  smote 
down  three  knights,  even  in  the  sight  of  Sir  Palomides. 
And  then  Sir  Palomides  rode  against  Sir  Tristram,  and 
either  met  other  with  great  spears,  that  they  brast  to  their 
hands.  And  then  they  dashed  together  with  swords  eagerly. 
Then  Sir  Tristram  had  marvel  what  knight  he  was  that 
did  battle  so  knighdy  with  him.  Then  was  Sir  Tristram 
wroth,  for  he  felt  him  passing  strong,  so  that  he  deemed 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  FOUGHT  TRISTRAM   255 

he  might  not  have  ado  with  the  remnant  of  the  knights, 
because  of  the  strength  of  Sir  Palomides.  So  they  lashed 
together  and  gave  many  sad  strokes  together,  and  many 
knights  marvelled  what  knight  he  might  be  that  so  en- 
countered with  the  black  knight,  Sir  Tristram.  Full  well 
knew  La  Beale  Isoud  that  there  was  Sir  Palomides  that 
fought  with  Sir  Tristram,  for  she  espied  all  in  her  window 
where  that  she  stood,  as  Sir  Palomides  changed  his  harness  with 
the  wounded  knight.  And  then  she  began  to  weep  so  heartily 
for  the  despite  of  Sir  Palomides  that  there  she  swooned. 

Then  came  in  Sir  Launcelot  with  the  knights  of  Orkney. 
And  when  the  other  party  had  espied  Sir  Launcelot,  they 
cried  :  Return,  return,  here  cometh  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake. 
So  there  came  knights  and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  must 
needs  fight  with  yonder  knight  in  the  black  harness  (that 
was  Sir  Tristram),  for  he  hath  almost  overcome  that  good 
knight  that  fighteth  with  him  with  the  silver  shield  (that 
was  Sir  Palomides).  Then  Sir  Launcelot  rode  betwixt 
Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides,  and  Sir  Launcelot  said  to 
Palomides  :  Sir  knight,  let  me  have  the  batde,  for  ye  have 
need  to  be  reposed.  Sir  Palomides  knew  Sir  Launcelot 
well,  and  so  did  Sir  Tristram,  but  because  Sir  Launcelot 
was  a  far  hardier  knight  than  himself  therefore  he  was  glad, 
and  suffered  Sir  Launcelot  to  fight  with  Sir  Tristram.  For 
well  wist  he  that  Sir  Launcelot  knew  not  Sir  Tristram,  and 
there  he  hoped  that  Sir  Launcelot  should  beat  or  shame 
Sir  Tristram,  whereof  Sir  Palomides  was  full  fain.  And 
so  Sir  Launcelot  gave  Sir  Tristram  many  sad  strokes,  but 
Sir  Launcelot  knew  not  Sir  Tristram,  but  Sir  Tristram  knew 
well  Sir  Launcelot.  And  thus  they  fought  long  together,  that 
La  Beale  Isoud  was  well-nigh  out  of  her  mind  for  sorrow. 

Then  Sir  Dinadan  told  Sir  Gareth  how  that  knight  in 


256  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

the  black  harness  was  Sir  Tristram  :  And  this  is  Launcelot 
that  fighteth  with  him,  that  must  needs  have  the  better  of 
him,  for  Sir  Tristram  hath  had  too  much  travail  this  day. 
Then  let  us  smite  him  down,  said  Sir  Gareth.  So  it  is 
better  that  we  do,  said  Sir  Dinadan,  than  Sir  Tristram  be 
shamed,  for  yonder  hoveth  the  strong  knight  with  the  silver 
shield  to  fall  upon  Sir  Tristram  if  need  be.  Then  forth- 
withal  Gareth  rushed  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  gave  him  a 
great  stroke  upon  his  helm  so  hard  that  he  was  astonied. 
And  then  came  Sir  Dinadan  with  a  spear,  and  he  smote  Sir 
Launcelot  such  a  buffet  that  horse  and  all  fell  to  the  earth. 
Fie  for  shame,  said  Sir  Tristram  to  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir 
Dinadan,  why  did  ye  smite  down  so  good  a  knight  as  he 
is,  and  namely  when  I  had  ado  with  him  ?  now  ye  do 
yourself  great  shame,  and  him  no  disworship  ;  for  I  held 
him  reasonable  hot,  though  ye  had  not  holpen  me. 

Then  came  Sir  Palomides  that  was  disguised,  and  smote 
down  Sir  Dinadan  from  his  horse.  Then  Sir  Launcelot, 
because  Sir  Dinadan  had  smitten  him  aforehand,  assailed 
Sir  Dinadan  passing  sore,  and  Sir  Dinadan  defended  him 
mightily.  But  well  understood  Sir  Tristram  that  Sir 
Dinadan  might  not  endure  Sir  Launcelot,  wherefore  Sir 
Tristram  was  sorry.  Then  came  Sir  Palomides  fresh  upon 
Sir  Tristram.  And  when  Sir  Tristram  saw  him  come,  he 
thought  to  deliver  him  at  once,  because  that  he  would  help 
Sir  Dinadan,  because  he  stood  in  great  peril  with  Sir 
Launcelot.  Then  Sir  Tristram  hurtled  unto  Sir  Palomides 
and  gave  him  a  great  buffet,  and  then  Sir  Tristram  gat  Sir 
Palomides  and  pulled  him  down  underneath  him.  And  so 
fell  Sir  Tristram  with  him  ;  and  Sir  Tristram  leapt  up  lightly 
and  left  Sir  Pal6mides,  and  went  betwixt  Sir  Launcelot  and 
Dinadan,  and  then  they  began  to  do  batde  together. 


SIR  TRISTRAM  THE  BEST  KNIGHT       257 

Right  so  Sir  Dinadan  gat  Sir  Tristram's  horse,  and  said 
on  high  that  Sir  Launcelot  might  hear  it :]  My  lord  Sir 
Tristram,  take  your  horse.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  heard 
him  name  Sir  Tristram  :  Alas  !  said  Launcelot,  what  have 
I  done  ?  I  am  dishonoured.  Ah,  my  lord  Sir  Tristram, 
said  Launcelot,  why  were  ye  disguised  ?  ye  have  put  your- 
self in  great  peril  this  day  ;  but  I  pray  you  noble  knight  to 
pardon  me,  for  an  I  had  known  you  we  had  not  done  this 
batde.  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram,  this  is  not  the  first  kindness 
ye  showed  me.     So  they  were  both  horsed  again. 

Then  all  the  people  on  the  one  side  gave  Sir  Launcelot 
the  honour  and  the  degree,  and  on  the  other  side  all  the 
people  gave  to  the  noble  knight  Sir  Tristram  the  honour 
and  the  degree  ;  but  Launcelot  said  nay  thereto  :  For  I  am 
not  worthy  to  have  this  honour,  for  I  will  report  me  unto 
all  knights  that  Sir  Tristram  hath  been  longer  in  the  field 
than  I,  and  he  hath  smitten  down  many  more  knights  this 
day  than  I  have  done.  And  therefore  I  will  give  Sir  Tris- 
tram my  voice  and  my  name,  and  so  I  pray  all  my  lords 
and  fellows  so  to  do.  Then  there  was  the  whole  voice  of 
dukes  and  earls,  barons  and  knights,  that  Sir  Tristram  this 
day  is  proved  the  best  knight. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  DEPARTED 
WITH  LA  BEALE  ISOUD,  AND  HOW 
PALOMIDES  FOLLOWED  AND  EX- 
CUSED HIM,  AND  HOW  KING 
ARTHUR  AND  SIR  LAUNCELOT 
CAME  UNTO  THEIR  PAVILIONS 
AS  THEY  SAT  AT  SUPPER,  AND  OF 
SIR  PALOMIDES.  Then  they  blew  unto  lodging,  and 
Queen  Isoud  was  led  unto  her  pavilions.     But  wit  you  well 


258  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

she  was  wroth  out  of  measure  with  Sir  Palomides,  for  she 
saw  all  his  treason  from  the  beginning  to  the  ending.  And 
all  this  while  neither  Sir  Tristram,  neither  Sir  Gareth  nor 
Dinadan,  knew  not  of  the  treason  of  Sir  Palomides ;  but 
afterward  ye  shall  hear  that  there  befell  the  greatest  debate 
betwixt  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir  Palomides  that  might  be. 

So  when  the  tournament  was  done,  Sir  Tristram,  Gareth, 
and  Dinadan,  rode  with  La  Beale  Isoud  to  these  pavilions. 
And  ever  Sir  Palomides  rode  with  them  in  their  company 
disguised  as  he  was.  But  when  Sir  Tristram  had  espied 
him  that  he  was  the  same  knight  with  the  shield  of  silver 
that  held  him  so  hot  that  day  :  Sir  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
wit  ye  well  here  is  none  that  hath  need  of  your  fellowship, 
and  therefore  I  pray  you  depart  from  us.  Sir  Palomides 
answered  again  as  though  he  had  not  known  Sir  Tristram  : 
Wit  you  well,  sir  knight,  from  this  fellowship  will  I  never 
depart,  for  one  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world  commanded 
me  to  be  in  this  company,  and  till  he  discharge  me  of  my 
service  I  will  not  be  discharged.  By  that  Sir  Tristram 
knew  that  it  was  Sir  Palomides.  Ah,  Sir  Palomides,  said 
the  noble  knight  Sir  Tristram,  are  ye  such  a  knight  ?  Ye 
have  been  named  wrong,  for  ye  have  long  been  called  a 
gentle  knight,  and  as  this  day  ye  have  showed  me  great 
ungentleness,  for  ye  had  almost  brought  me  unto  my  death. 
But,  as  for  you,  I  suppose  I  should  have  done  well  enough, 
but  Sir  Launcelot  with  you  was  overmuch  ;  for  I  know  no 
knight  living  but  Sir  Launcelot  is  over  good  for  him,  an 
he  will  do  his  uttermost.  Alas,  said  Sir  Palomides,  are  ye 
my  lord  Sir  Tristram  ?  Yea,  sir,  and  that  ye  know  well 
enough.  By  my  knighthood,  said  Palomides,  until  now 
I  knew  you  not ;  I  weened  that  ye  had  been  the  King  of 
Ireland,  for  well  I  wot  ye  bare  his  arms.     His  arms  I  bare, 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  PALOMIDES    259 

said  Sir  Tristram,  and  that  will  I  stand  by,  for  I  won  them 
once  in  a  field  of  a  full  noble  knight,  his  name  was  Sir  Mar- 
haus  ;  and  with  great  pain  I  won  that  knight,  for  there  was 
none  other  recover,  but  Sir  Marhaus  died  through  false 
leeches  ;  and  yet  was  he  never  yolden  to  me.  Sir,  said 
Palomides,  I  weened  ye  had  been  turned  upon  Sir  Launce- 
lot's  party,  and  that  caused  me  to  turn.  Ye  say  well,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  and  so  I  take  you,  and  I  forgive  you. 

So  then  they  rode  into  their  pavilions  ;  and  when  they 
were  alighted  they  unarmed  them  and  washed  their  faces 
and  hands,  and  so  went  unto  meat,  and  were  set  at  their 
table.  But  when  Isoud  saw  Sir  Palomides  she  changed 
then  her  colours,  and  for  wrath  she  might  not  speak.  Anon 
Sir  Tristram  espied  her  countenance  and  said  :  Madam, 
for  what  cause  make  ye  us  such  cheer  ?  we  have  been  sore 
travailed  this  day.  Mine  own  lord,  said  La  Beale  Isoud, 
be  ye  not  displeased  with  me,  for  I  may  none  otherwise 
do  ;  for  I  saw  this  day  how  ye  were  betrayed  and  nigh 
brought  to  your  death.  Truly,  sir,  I  saw  every  deal,  how 
and  in  what  wise,  and  therefore,  sir,  how  should  I  suffer 
in  your  presence  such  a  felon  and  traitor  as  Sir  Palo- 
mides ;  for  I  saw  him  with  mine  eyes,  how  he  beheld  you 
when  ye  went  out  of  the  field.  For  ever  he  hoved  still 
upon  his  horse  till  he  saw  you  come  in  againward.  And 
then  forthwithal  I  saw  him  ride  to  the  hurt  knight,  and 
changed  harness  with  him,  and  then  straight  I  saw  him 
how  he  rode  into  the  field.  And  anon  as  he  had  found  you 
he  encountered  with  you,  and  thus  wilfully  Sir  Palomides 
did  batde  with  you  ;  and  as  for  him,  sir,  I  was  not  gready 
afraid,  but  I  dread  sore  Launcelot,  that  knew  you  not. 
Madam,  said  Palomides,  ye  may  say  whatso  ye  will,  I  may 
not  contrary  you,  but  by  my  knighthood  I  knew  not  Sir 


26o  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Tristram.  Sir  Palomides,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  will  take 
your  excuse,  but  well  I  wot  ye  spared  me  but  litde  ;  but  all 
is  pardoned  on  my  part.  Then  La  Beale  Isoud  held  down 
her  head  and  said  no  more  at  that  time. 

And  therewithal  two  knights  armed  came  unto  the 
pavilion,  and  there  they  alighted  both,  and  came  in  armed 
at  all  pieces.  Fair  knights,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  are  to 
blame  to  come  thus  armed  at  all  pieces  upon  me  while  we 
are  at  our  meat  ;  if  ye  would  anything  when  we  were  in 
the  field  there  might  ye  have  eased  your  hearts.  Not  so, 
said  the  one  of  those  knights,  we  come  not  for  that  intent ; 
but  wit  ye  well  Sir  Tristram,  we  be  come  hither  as  your 
friends.  And  I  am  come  here,  said  the  one,  for  to  see  you, 
and  this  knight  is  come  for  to  see  La  Beale  Isoud.  Then 
said  Sir  Tristram  :  I  require  you  do  off  your  helms  that  I 
may  see  you.  That  will  we  do  at  your  desire,  said  the 
knights.  And  when  their  helms  were  off,  then,  said  Sir 
Tristram  unto  La  Beale  Isoud,  Madam  arise,  for  here  is 
my  lord,  King  Arthur.  Then  the  king  and  the  queen 
kissed,  and  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Tristram  braced  either 
other  in  arms,  and  then  there  was  joy  without  measure  ; 
and  at  the  request  of  La  Beale  Isoud,  King  Arthur  and 
Launcelot  were  unarmed,  and  then  there  was  merry 
talking.  Madam,  said  Sir  Arthur,  it  is  many  a  day  sithen 
that  I  have  desired  to  see  you,  for  ye  have  been  praised 
so  far  ;  and  now  I  dare  say  ye  are  the  fairest  that  ever  I 
saw,  and  Sir  Tristram  is  as  fair  and  as  good  a  knight  as  any 
that  I  know  ;  therefore  me  seemeth  ye  are  well  beset 
together.  Sir,  God  thank  you,  said  the  noble  knight,  Sir 
Tristram,  and  Isoud  ;  of  your  great  goodness  and  largess 
ye  are  peerless.  Thus  they  talked  of  many  things  and  of 
all  the  whole  jousts.     But  for  what  cause,  said  King  Arthur, 


OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  SIR  LAUNCELOT   261 

were  ye,  Sir  Tristram,  against  us  ?  Ye  are  a  knight  of  the 
Table  Round  ;  of  right  ye  should  have  been  with  us.  Sir, 
said  Sir  Tristram,  here  is  Dinadan,  and  Sir  Gareth  your 
own  nephew,  caused  me  to  be  against  you.  My  lord 
Arthur,  said  Gareth,  I  may  well  bear  the  blame,  but  it 
were  Sir  Tristram's  own  deeds.  That  may  I  repent,  said 
Dinadan,  for  this  unhappy  Sir  Tristram  brought  us  to  this 
tournament,  and  many  great  buffets  he  caused  us  to  have. 
Then  the  king  and  Launcelot  laughed  that  they  might 
not  sit. 

What  knight  was  that,  said  Arthur,  that  held  you  so 
short,  this  with  the  shield  of  silver  ?  Sir,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
here  he  sitteth  at  this  board.  What,  said  Arthur,  was  it 
Sir  Palomides  ?  Wit  ye  well  it  was  he,  said  La  Beale  Isoud. 
Truly,  said  Arthur,  that  was  unknighdy  done  of  you  of  so 
good  a  knight,  for  I  have  heard  many  people  call  you  a 
courteous  knight.  Sir,  said  Palomides,  I  knew  not  Sir 
Tristram,  for  he  was  so  disguised.  It  may  well  be,  said 
Launcelot,  for  I  knew  not  Sir  Tristram  ;  but  I  marvel  why 
ye  turned  on  our  party.  That  was  done  for  the  same  cause, 
said  Palomides.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  have 
pardoned  him,  and  I  would  be  right  loath  to  leave  his 
fellowship,  for  I  love  right  well  his  company  :  so  they  left 
off  and  talked  of  other  things. 

And  in  the  evening  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot 
departed  unto  their  lodging  ;  but  wit  ye  well  Sir  Palomides 
had  envy  heartily,  for  all  that  night  he  had  never  rest  in 
his  bed,  but  wailed  and  wept  out  of  measure.  So  on  the 
morn  Sir  Tristram,  Gareth,  and  Dinadan  arose  early,  and 
then  they  went  unto  Sir  Palomides'  chamber,  and  there 
they  found  him  fast  asleep,  for  he  had  all  night  watched, 
and  it  was  seen  upon  his  cheeks  that  he  had  wept  full  sore. 


262  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

Say  nothing,  said  Sir  Tristram,  for  I  am  sure  he  hath  taken 
anger  and  sorrow  for  the  rebuke  that  I  gave  to  him,  and 
La  Beale  Isoud. 

HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  PALOMIDES 
DID  THE  THIRD  DAY  OF  THE  TOURNA- 
MENT, AND  HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  TURNED 
TO  KING  ARTHUR'S  SIDE,  AND  OF  THE  SORROW 
OF  SIR  PALOMIDES.  Then  Sir  Tristram  let  call  Sir 
Palomides,  and  bade  him  make  him  ready,  for  it  was 
time  to  go  to  the  field.  When  they  were  ready  they 
were  armed,  and  clothed  all  in  red,  both  Isoud  and  all 
they  ;  and  so  they  led  her  passing  freshly  through  the 
field,  into  the  priory  where  was  her  lodging.  And  then 
they  heard  three  blasts  blow,  and  every  king  and  knight 
dressed  him  unto  the  field.  And  the  first  that  was  ready 
to  joust  was  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Kainus  le  Strange,  a 
knight  of  the  Table  Round.  And  so  they  two  encountered 
together,  but  Sir  Palomides  smote  Sir  Kainus  so  hard  that 
he  smote  him  quite  over  his  horse's  croup.  And  forthwithal 
Sir  Palomides  smote  down  another  knight,  and  brake  then 
his  spear,  and  pulled  out  his  sword  and  did  wonderly  well. 
And  then  the  noise  began  greatly  upon  Sir  Palomides. 
Lo,  said  King  Arthur,  yonder  Palomides  beginneth  to  play 
his  pageant.  Truly,  said  Arthur,  he  is  a  passing  good 
knight.  And  right  as  they  stood  talking  thus,  in  came 
Sir  Tristram  as  thunder,  and  he  encountered  with  Sir  Kay 
the  Seneschal,  and  there  he  smote  him  down  quite  from 
his  horse  ;  and  with  that  same  spear  Sir  Tristram  smote 
down  three  knights  more,  and  then  he  pulled  out  his  sword 
and  did  marvellously.  Then  the  noise  and  cry  changed 
from  Sir  Palomides  and  turned  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  all  the 


THE  THIRD  DAY  OF  THE  TOURNEY     263 

people  cried  :  O  Tristram,  O  Tristram.  And  then  was 
Sir  Palomides  clean  forgotten. 

Then  Sir  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  took  their  horses 
and  dressed  them,  and  gat  into  the  thickest  of  the  press. 
And  there  Sir  Tristram  unknowing  smote  down  King 
Arthur,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  would  have  rescued  him, 
but  there  were  so  many  upon  Sir  Launcelot  that  they  pulled 
him  down  from  his  horse.  And  then  the  King  of  Ireland 
and  the  King  of  Scots  with  their  knights  did  their  pain  to 
take  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  prisoner.  When  Sir 
Launcelot  heard  them  say  so,  he  fared  as  it  had  been  an 
hungry  lion,  for  he  fared  so  that  no  knight  durst  nigh  him. 

Then  came  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and  he  bare  a  spear 
against  Sir  Palomides,  and  brast  it  upon  him  all  to  shivers. 
And  then  Sir  Ector  came  again  and  gave  Sir  Palomides 
such  a  dash  with  a  sword  that  he  stooped  down  upon  his 
saddle  bow.  And  forthwithal  Sir  Ector  pulled  down  Sir 
Palomides  under  his  feet  ;  and  then  Sir  Ector  de  Maris 
gat  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  an  horse,  and  brought  it  to  him, 
and  bade  him  mount  upon  him  ;  but  Sir  Palomides  leapt 
afore  and  gat  the  horse  by  the  bridle,  and  leapt  into  the 
saddle.  So  God  me  help,  said  Launcelot,  ye  are  better 
worthy  to  have  that  horse  than  I.  Then  Sir  Ector  brought 
Sir  Launcelot  another  horse.  Gramercy,  said  Launcelot 
unto  his  brother.  And  so  when  he  was  horsed  again,  with 
one  spear  he  smote  down  four  knights.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  brought  to  King  Arthur  one  of  the  best  of  the 
four  horses.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  with  King  Arthur  and 
a  few  of  his  knights  of  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  did  marvellous 
deeds  ;  for  that  time,  as  the  book  recordeth,  Sir  Launcelot 
smote  down  and  pulled  down  thirty  knights-.  Notwith- 
standing the  other  party  held   them  so  fast  together  that 

T 


264  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

King  Arthur  and  his  knights  were  overmatched.  And 
when  Sir  Tristram  saw  that,  what  labour  King  Arthur 
and  his  knights,  and  in  especial  the  noble  deeds  that  Sir 
Launcelot  did  with  his  own  hands,  he  marvelled  greatly. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  called  unto  him  Sir  Palomides,  Sir 
Gareth,  and  Sir  Dinadan,  and  said  thus  to  them  :  My  fair 
fellows,  wit  ye  well  that  I  will  turn  unto  King  Arthur's 
party,  for  I  saw  never  so  few  men  do  so  well,  and  it  will 
be  shame  unto  us  knights  that  be  of  the  Round  Table  to 
see  our  lord  King  Arthur,  and  that  noble  knight  Sir  Launce- 
lot, to  be  dishonoured.  It  will  be  well  done,  said  Sir  Gareth 
and  Sir  Dinadan.  Do  your  best,  said  Palomides,  for  I  will 
not  change  my  party  that  I  came  in  withal.  That  is  for 
my  sake,  said  Sir  Tristram  ;  God  speed  you  in  your  journey. 
And  so  departed  Sir  Palomides  from  them.  Then  Sir 
Tristram,  Gareth,  and  Dinadan,  turned  with  Sir  Launcelot. 
And  then  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  the  King  of  Ireland 
quite  from  his  horse  ;  and  so  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down 
the  King  of  Scots,  and  the  King  of  Wales  ;  and  then  Sir 
Arthur  ran  unto  Sir  Palomides  and  smote  him  quite  from 
his  horse  ;  and  then  Sir  Tristram  bare  down  all  that  he  met, 
and  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Dinadan  did  there  as  noble  knights  ; 
then  all  the  parties  began  to  flee.  Alas,  said  Palomides, 
that  ever  I  should  see  this  day,  for  now  have  I  lost  all  the 
worship  that  I  won  ;  and  then  Sir  Palomides  went  his  way 
wailing,  and  so  withdrew  him  till  he  came  to  a  well,  and  there 
he  put  his  horse  from  him,  and  did  off  his  armour,  and 
wailed  and  wept  like  as  he  had  been  a  wood  man.  Then 
many  knights  gave  the  prize  to  Sir  Tristram,  and  there 
were  many  that  gave  the  prize  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  Fair 
lords,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  thank  you  of  the  honour  ye  would 
give  me,  but  I  pray  you  heartily  that  ye  would  give  your 


HOW  SIR  PALOMIDES  MADE  DOLE       265 

voice  to  Sir  Launcelot,  for  by  my  faith,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
I  will  give  Sir  Launcelot  my  voice.  But  Sir  Launcelot 
would  not  have  it,  and  so  the  prize  was  given  betwixt  them 
both. 

Then  every  man  rode  to  his  lodging,  and  Sir  Bleoberis 
and  Sir  Ector  rode  with  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale  Isoud 
unto  their  pavilions.  Then  as  Sir  Palomides  was  at  the 
well  wailing  and  weeping,  there  came  by  him  fleeing  the 
kings  of  Wales  and  of  Scodand,  and  they  saw  Sir  Palomides 
in  that  arage.  Alas,  said  they,  that  so  noble  a  man  as  ye 
be  should  be  in  this  array.  And  then  those  kings  gat  Sir 
Palomides'  horse  again,  and  made  him  to  arm  him  and 
mount  upon  his  horse,  and  so  he  rode  with  them,  making 
great  dole.  So  when  Sir  Palomides  came  nigh  the  pavilions 
thereas  Sir  Tristram  and  La  Beale  Isoud  was  in,  then  Sir 
Palomides  prayed  the  two  kings  to  abide  him  there  the 
while  that  he  spake  with  Sir  Tristram.  And  when  he 
came  to  the  port  of  the  pavilions,  Sir  Palomides  said  on 
high  :  Where  art  thou,  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones  ?  Sir,  said 
Dinadan,  that  is  Palomides.  What,  Sir  Palomides,  will  ye 
not  come  in  here  among  us  ?  Fie  on  thee,  traitor,  said 
Palomides,  for  wit  you  well  an  it  were  daylight  as  it  is  night 
I  should  slay  thee,  mine  own  hands.  And  if  ever  I  may 
get  thee,  said  Palomides,  thou  shalt  die  for  this  day's  deed. 
Sir  Palomides,  said  Sir  Tristram,  ye  wite  me  with  wrong, 
for  had  ye  done  as  I  did  ye  had  won  worship.  But  sithen 
ye  give  me  so  large  warning  I  shall  be  well  ware  of  you. 
Fie  on  thee,  traitor,  said  Palomides,  and  therewith  departed. 

Then  on  the  morn  Sir  Tristram,  Bleoberis,  and  Sir 
Ector  de  Maris,  Sir  Gareth,  Sir  Dinadan,  what  by  water 
and  what  by  land,  they  brought  La  Beale  Isoud  unto  Joyous 
Gard,  and  there  reposed  them  a  seven  night,  and  made  all 


266  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

the  mirths  and  disports  that  they  could  devise.  And  King 
Arthur  and  his  knights  drew  unto  Camelot,  and  Sir  Palo- 
mides  rode  with  the  two  kings  ;  and  ever  he  made  the 
greatest  dole  that  any  man  could  think,  for  he  was  not  all 
only  so  dolorous  for  the  departing  from  La  Beale  Isoud, 
but  he  was  a  part  as  sorrowful  to  depart  from  the  fellowship 
of  Sir  Tristram  ;  for  Sir  Tristram  was  so  kind  and  so  gentle 
that  when  Sir  Palomides  remembered  him  thereof  he  might 
never  be  merry. 

HOW  ON  A  DAY  SIR  TRISTRAM 
DEPARTED  UNARMED  AND  MET 
WITH  SIR  PALOMIDES,  AND  HOW 
THEY  SMOTE  EACH  OTHER,  AND 
HOW  SIR  PALOMIDES  FORBARE 
HIM,  AND  HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  GAT  HARNESS 
OF  A  HURT  KNIGHT  AND  OVERTHREW  SIR 
PALOMIDES  AND  MADE  HIM  BE  CHRISTENED. 
And  so  on  a  day  Sir  Tristram  was  riding  with  no  more 
harness  of  war  but  his  spear  and  his  sword,  and  saw  afore 
him  where  Sir  Palomides  had  stricken  down  a  knight,  and 
almost  wounded  him  to  the  death.  Then  Sir  Tristram 
repented  him  that  he  was  not  armed,  and  then  he  hoved 
still.  With  that  Sir  Palomides  knew  Sir  Tristram,  and 
cried  on  high  :  Sir  Tristram,  now  be  we  well  met,  for  ere 
we  depart  we  will  redress  our  old  sores.  As  for  that,  said 
Sir  Tristram,  there  was  yet  never  Christian  man  might 
make  his  boast  that  ever  I  fled  from  him  ;  and  wit  ye  well, 
Sir  Palomides,  thou  that  art  a  Saracen  shall  never  make 
thy  boast  that  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones  shall  flee  from  thee 
And  therewith  Sir  Tristram  made  his  horse  to  run,  and  with 
all  his  might  he  came  straight  upon  Sir  Palomides,  and  brast 


OF  SIR  TRISTRAM  AND  SIR  PALOMIDES    267 

his  spear  upon  him  an  hundred  pieces.  And  forthwithal 
Sir  Tristram  drew  his  sword.  And  then  he  turned  his  horse 
and  struck  at  Palomides  six  great  strokes  upon  his  helm  ; 
and  then  Sir  Palomides  stood  still,  and  beheld  Sir  Tristram, 
and  marvelled  of  his  woodness,  and  of  his  folly.  And  then 
Sir  Palomides  said  to  himself  :  An  Sir  Tristram  were  armed, 
it  were  hard  to  cease  him  of  this  battle,  and  if  I  turn  again 
and  slay  him  I  am  ashamed  wheresomever  that  I  go. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  spake  and  said  :  Thou  coward  knight, 
what  castest  thou  to  do  ;  why  wilt  thou  not  do  battle  with 
me  ?  for  have  thou  no  doubt  I  shall  endure  all  thy  malice. 
Ah,  Sir  Tristram,  said  Palomides,  full  well  thou  wottest 
I  may  not  fight  with  thee  for  shame,  for  thou  art  here 
naked  and  I  am  armed,  and  if  I  slay  thee,  dishonour 
shall  be  mine.  Now,  I  require  you,  tell  me  a  question  that 
I  shall  say  to  you.  Tell  me  what  it  is,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
and  I  shall  answer  you  the  truth.  I  put  case,  said  Sir 
Palomides,  that  ye  were  armed  at  all  rights  as  well  as  I  am, 
and  I  naked  as  ye  be,  what  would  you  do  to  me  now,  by 
your  true  knighthood  ?  Ah,  said  Sir  Tristram,  now  I  under- 
stand thee  well,  Sir  Palomides,  for  now  must  I  say  mine 
own  judgment,  and  as  God  me  bless,  that  I  shall  say  shall 
not  be  said  for  no  fear  that  I  have  of  thee.  But  this  is  all  : 
wit,  Sir  Palomides,  as  at  this  time  thou  shouldest  depart 
from  me,  for  I  would  not  have  ado  with  thee.  No  more 
will  I,  said  Palomides,  and  therefore  ride  forth  on  thy  way. 
As  for  that  I  may  choose,  said  Sir  Tristram,  either  to  ride 
or  to  abide.  But  Sir  Palomides,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  marvel 
of  one  thing,  that  thou  that  art  so  good  a  knight,  that  thou 
wilt  not  be  christened,  and  thy  brother,  Sir  Safere,  hath 
been  christened  many  a  day. 

As  for  that,  said  Sir  Palomides,  I  may  not  yet  be  christened, 


268  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

for  one  avow  that  I  have  made  many  years  agone  ;  howbeit 
in  my  heart  I  believe  in  Jesu  Christ  and  his  mild  mother 
Mary  ;  but  I  have  but  one  battle  to  do,  and  when  that  is 
done  I  will  be  baptised  with  a  good  will.  By  my  head,  said 
Tristram,  as  for  one  battle  thou  shalt  not  seek  it  no  longer. 
For  God  defend,  said  Sir  Tristram,  that  through  my  default 
thou  shouldst  longer  live  thus  a  Saracen.  For  yonder  is  a 
knight  thatt  ye,  Sir  Palomides,  have  hurt  and  smitten  down  ; 
now  help  me  that  I  were  armed  in  his  armour,  and  I  shall 
soon  fulfil  thine  avows.  As  ye  will,  said  Palomides,  so  it 
shall  be. 

So  they  rode  both  unto  that  knight  that  sat  upon  a 
bank,  and  then  Sir  Tristram  saluted  him,  and  he  weakly 
saluted  him  again.  Sir  knight,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  require 
you  tell  me  your  right  name.  Sir,  he  said,  my  name  is 
Sir  Galleron  of  Galway,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round. 
Truly,  said  Sir  Tristram,  I  am  right  heavy  of  your 
hurts  ;  but  this  is  all,  I  must  pray  you  to  lend  me  all 
your  whole  armour,  for  ye  see  I  am  unarmed,  and  I  must 
do  battle  with  this  knight.  Sir,  said  the  hurt  knight,  ye 
shall  have  it  with  a  good  will  ;  but  ye  must  beware,  for  I 
warn  you  that  knight  is  wight.  Sir,  said  Galleron,  I  pray 
you  tell  me  your  name,  and  what  is  that  knight's  name 
that  hath  beaten  me.  Sir,  as  for  my  name  it  is  Sir  Tristram 
de  Liones,  and  as  for  the  knight's  name  that  hath  hurt  you 
it  is  Sir  Palomides,  brother  to  the  good  knight  Sir  Safere, 
and  yet  is  Sir  Palomides  unchristened.  Alas,  said  Sir 
Galleron,  that  is  pity  that  so  good  a  knight  and  so  noble  a 
man  of  arms  should  be  unchristened.  Either  he  shall  slay 
me,  said  Sir  Tristram,  or  I  him,  but  that  he  shall  be  christened 
or  ever  we  depart  insunder.  My  lord  Sir  Tristram,  said 
Sir   Galleron,   your  renown   and   worship   is   well   known 


HOW  SIR  TRISTRAM  GAT  HARNESS      269 

through  many  realms,  and   God  save  you   this  day  from 
shenship  and  shame. 

Then  Sir  Tristram  unarmed  Galleron,  the  which  was  a 
noble  knight,  and  had  done  many  deeds  of  arms,  and  he 
was  a  large  knight  of  flesh  and  bone.  And  when  he  was 
unarmed  he  stood  upon  his  feet,  for  he  was  brised  in  the 
back  with  a  spear  ;  yet  so  as  Sir  Galleron  might,  he  armed 
Sir  Tristram.  And  then  Sir  Tristram  mounted  upon  his 
own  horse,  and  in  his  hand  he  gat  Sir  Galleron's  spear  ; 
and  therewithal  Sir  Palomides  was  ready.  And  so  they 
came  hurding  together,  and  either  smote  other  in  midst 
of  their  shields  ;  and  therewithal  Sir  Palomides'  spear 
brake,  and  Sir  Tristram  smote  down  the  horse  ;  and  Sir 
Palomides,  as  soon  as  he  might,  avoided  his  horse,  and 
dressed  his  shield,  and  pulled  out  his  sword.  That  saw 
Sir  Tristram,  and  therewithal  he  alighted  and  tied  his  horse 
to  a  tree. 

And  then  they  came  together  as  two  wild  boars,  lashing 
together,  tracing  and  traversing  as  noble  men  that  oft  had 
been  well  proved  in  batde  ;  but  ever  Sir  Palomides  dread 
the  might  of  Sir  Tristram,  and  therefore  he  suffered  him 
to  breathe  him.  Thus  they  fought  more  than  two  hours, 
but  often  Sir  Tristram  smote  such  strokes  at  Sir  Palomides 
that  he  made  him  to  kneel  ;  and  Sir  Palomides  brake  and 
cut  away  many  pieces  of  Sir  Tristram's  shield  ;  and  then 
Sir  Palomides  wounded  Sir  Tristram,  for  he  was  a  well 
fighting  man.  Then  Sir  Tristram  was  wood  wroth  out  of 
measure,  and  rushed  upon  Sir  Palomides  with  such  a  might 
that  Sir  Palomides  fell  grovelling  to  the  earth  ;  and  there- 
withal he  leapt  up  lighdy  upon  his  feet,  and  then  Sir  Tris- 
tram wounded  Palomides  sore  through  the  shoulder.  And 
ever  Sir  Tristram  fought  still  in  like  hard,  and  Sir  Palomides 


zyo  OF  SIR  TRISTRAM 

failed  not,  but  gave  him  many  sad  strokes.  And  at  the 
last  Sir  Tristram  doubled  his  strokes,  and  by  fortune  Sir 
Tristram  smote  Sir  Palomides'  sword  out  of  his  hand,  and 
if  Sir  Palomides  had  stooped  for  his  sword  he  had  been 
slain. 

Then  Palomides  stood  still  and  beheld  his  sword  with 
a  sorrowful  heart.  How  now,  said  Sir  Tristram  unto 
Palomides,  now  have  I  thee  at  advantage  as  thou  haddest 
me  this  day  ;  but  it  shall  never  be  said  in  no  court,  nor 
among  good  knights,  that  Sir  Tristram  shall  slay  any  knight 
that  is  weaponless  ;  and  therefore  take  thou  thy  sword,  and 
let  us  make  an  end  of  this  battle.  As  for  to  do  this  battle, 
said  Palomides,  I  dare  right  well  end  it ;  but  I  have  no  great 
lust  to  fight  no  more.  And  for  this  cause,  said  Palomides  : 
mine  offence  to  you  is  not  so  great  but  that  we  may  be 
friends.  All  that  I  have  offended  is  and  was  for  the  love  of 
La  Beale  Isoud.  And  as  for  her,  I  dare  say  she  is  peerless 
above  all  other  ladies,  and  also  I  proffered  her  never  no 
dishonour  ;  and  by  her  I  have  gotten  the  most  part  of  my 
worship.  And  sithen  I  offended  never  as  to  her  own  person, 
and  as  for  the  offence  that  I  have  done,  it  was  against  your 
own  person,  and  for  that  offence  ye  have  given  me  this 
day  many  sad  strokes,  and  some  I  have  given  you  again  ; 
and  now  I  dare  say  I  felt  never  man  of  your  might,  nor  so 
well  breathed,  but  if  it  were  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  ;  where- 
fore I  require  you,  my  lord,  forgive  me  all  that  I  have 
offended  unto  you  ;  and  this  same  day  have  me  to  the  next 
church,  and  first  let  me  be  clean  confessed,  and  after  see 
you  now  that  I  be  truly  baptised.  And  then  will  we  all 
ride  together  unto  the  court  of  Arthur,  that  we  be  there 
at  the  high  feast.  Now  take  your  horse,  said  Sir  Tristram, 
and  as  ye  say  so  it  shall  be,  and  all  thine  evil  will  God  forgive 


HOW  SIR  PALOMIDES  WAS  CHRISTENED    271 

it  you,  and  I  do.     And  here  within  this  mile  is  the  Suffragan 
of  Carlisle  that  shall  give  you  the  sacrament  of  baptism. 

Then  they  took  their  horses  and  Sir  Galleron  rode  with 
them.  And  when  they  came  to  the  Suffragan  Sir  Tristram 
told  him  their  desire.  Then  the  Suffragan  let  fill  a  great 
vessel  with  water,  and  when  he  had  hallowed  it  he  then 
confessed  clean  Sir  Palomides,  and  Sir  Tristram  and  Sir 
Galleron  were  his  godfathers.  And  then  soon  after  they 
departed,  riding  toward  Camelot,  where  King  Arthur  and 
Queen  Guenever  was,  and  for  the  most  part  all  the  knights 
of  the  Round  Table.  And  so  the  king  and  all  the  court 
were  glad  that  Sir  Palomides  was  christened.  And  at  the 
same  feast  in  came  Galahad  and  sat  in  the  Siege  Perilous. 
And  so  therewithal  departed  and  dissevered  all  the  knights 
of  the  Round  Table.  And  Sir  Tristram  returned  again 
unto  Joyous  Gard,  and  Sir  Palomides  followed  the  Questing 
Beast. 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 


i  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  HOLP  A 
DOLOROUS  LADY  FROM  HER 
PAIN,  AND  FOUGHT  WITH  A 
DRAGON,  AND  OF  THE  BE- 
GETTING OF  SIR  GALAHAD. 
Now  leave  we  Sir  Tristram  de  Liones, 
and  speak  we  of  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake, 
and  of  Sir  Galahad,  Sir  Launcelot's  son, 
how  he  was  born,  and  in  what  manner, 
as  the  book  of  French  rehearseth.  Afore  the  time  that  Sir 
Galahad  was  born,  there  came  in  an  hermit  unto  King 
Arthur  upon  Whitsunday,  as  the  knights  sat  at  the  Table 
Round.  And  when  the  hermit  saw  the  Siege  Perilous,  he 
asked  the  king  and  all  the  knights  why  that  siege  was  void. 
Sir  Arthur  and  all  the  knights  answered  :  There  shall  never 
none  sit  in  that  siege  but  one,  but  if  he  be  destroyed.  Then 
said  the  hermit :  Wot  ye  what  is  he  ?  Nay,  said  Arthur  and 
all  the  knights,  we  wot  not  who  is  he  that  shall  sit  therein. 
Then  wot  I,  said  the  hermit,  for  he  that  shall  sit  there  is 
unborn,  and  this  same  year  he  shall  be  born  that  shall  sit 
there  in  that  Siege  Perilous,  and  he  shall  win  the  Sangreal. 
When  this  hermit  had  made  this  mention  he  departed  from 
the  court  of  King  Arthur. 

And  then  after  this  feast  Sir  Launcelot  rode  on  his  adven- 

272 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  273 

ture,  till  on  a  time  by  adventure  he  passed  over  the  bridge 
of  Corbin  ;  and  there  he  saw  the  fairest  tower  that  ever  he 
saw,  and  there-under  was  a  fair  town  full  of  people  ;  and 
all  the  people,  men  and  women,  cried  at  once  :  Welcome, 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  the  flower  of  all  knighthood,  for 
by  thee  all  we  shall  be  holpen  out  of  danger.  What  mean 
ye,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  ye  cry  so  upon  me  ?  Ah,  fair 
knight,  said  they  all,  here  is  within  this  tower  a  dolorous 
lady  that  hath  been  there  in  pains  many  winters  and  days, 
for  ever  she  boileth  in  scalding  water  ;  and  but  late,  said  all 
the  people,  Sir  Gawaine  was  here  and  he  might  not  help 
her,  and  so  he  left  her  in  pain.  So  may  I,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
leave  her  in  pain  as  well  as  Sir  Gawaine  did.  Nay,  said 
the  people,  we  know  well  that  it  is  Sir  Launcelot  that  shall 
deliver  her.  Well,  said  Launcelot,  then  shew  me  what  I 
shall  do. 

Then  they  brought  Sir  Launcelot  into  the  tower  ;  and 
when  he  came  to  the  chamber  thereas  this  lady  was,  the 
doors  of  iron  unlocked  and  unbolted.  And  so  Sir  Launce- 
lot went  into  the  chamber  that  was  as  hot  as  any  stew.  And 
there  Sir  Launcelot  took  the  fairest  lady  by  the  hand  that 
ever  he  saw,  and  she  was  naked  as  a  needle  ;  and  by  enchant- 
ment Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  and  the  Queen  of  Northgalis 
had  put  her  there  in  that  pains,  because  she  was  called  the 
fairest  lady  of  that  country  ;  and  there  she  had  been  five 
years,  and  never  might  she  be  delivered  out  of  her  great 
pains  unto  the  time  the  best  knight  of  the  world  had  taken 
her  by  the  hand.  Then  the  people  brought  her  clothes. 
And  when  she  was  arrayed,  Sir  Launcelot  thought  she  was 
the  fairest  lady  of  the  world,  but  if  it  were  Queen  Guenever. 

Then  this  lady  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Sir,  if  it  please 
you  will  ye  go  with  me  hereby  into  a  chapel  that  we  may 


274   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

give  loving  and  thanking  unto  God  ?  Madam,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  come  on  with  me,  I  will  go  with  you.  So  when 
they  came  there  and  gave  thankings  to  God  all  the  people, 
both  learned  and  lewd,  gave  thankings  unto  God  and  him, 
and  said  :  Sir  knight,  since  ye  have  delivered  this  lady,  ye 
shall  deliver  us  from  a  serpent  there  is  here  in  a  tomb.  Then 
Sir  Launcelot  took  his  shield  and  said  :  Bring  me  thither, 
and  what  I  may  do  unto  the  pleasure  of  God  and  you  I  will 
do.  So  when  Sir  Launcelot  came  thither  he  saw  written 
upon  the  tomb  letters  of  gold  that  said  thus  :  Here  shall 
come  a  leopard  of  king's  blood,  and  he  shall  slay  this  serpent, 
and  this  leopard  shall  engender  a  lion  in  this  foreign  country, 
the  which  lion  shall  pass  all  other  knights.  So  then  Sir 
Launcelot  lift  up  the  tomb,  and  there  came  out  an  horrible 
and  a  fiendly  dragon,  spitting  fire  out  of  his  mouth.  Then 
Sir  Launcelot  drew  his  sword  and  fought  with  the  dragon 
long,  and  at  the  last  with  great  pain  Sir  Launcelot  slew  that 
dragon. 

Therewithal  came  King  Pelles,  the  good  and  noble 
knight,  and  saluted  Sir  Launcelot,  and  he  him  again.  Fair 
knight,  said  the  king,  what  is  your  name  ?  I  require  you 
of  your  knighthood  tell  me  !  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  wit  you 
well  my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  And  my  name  is, 
said  the  king,  Pelles,  king  of  the  foreign  country,  and  cousin 
nigh  unto  Joseph  of  Aramathie.  And  then  either  of  them 
made  much  of  other,  and  so  they  went  into  the  castle  to  take 
their  repast.  And  anon  there  came  in  a  dove  at  a  window, 
and  in  her  mouth  there  seemed  a  litde  censer  of  gold.  And 
therewithal  there  was  such  a  savour  as  all  the  spicery  of  the 
world  had  been  there.  And  forthwithal  there  was  upon 
the  table  all  manner  of  meats  and  drinks  that  they  could 
think  upon.     So  came  in  a  damosel  passing  fair  and  young, 


How  Sir  Launcelot  fought  with  a  fiendly  dragon. 

To  face  page  274.. 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  CAME  TO  PELLES   275 

and  she  bare  a  vessel  of  gold  betwixt  her  hands  ;  and  thereto 
the  king  kneeled  devoudy,  and  said  his  prayers,  and  so  did 
all  that  were  there.  Then,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  What  may 
this  mean  ?  This  is,  said  the  king,  the  richest  thing  that 
any  man  hath  living.  And  when  this  thing  goeth  about, 
the  Round  Table  shall  be  broken  ;  and  wit  thou  well,  said 
the  king,  this  is  the  holy  Sangreal  that  ye  have  here  seen. 
So  the  king  and  Sir  Launcelot  led  their  life  the  most  part 
of  that  day.  And  fain  would  King  Pelles  have  found  the 
mean  to  have  had  Sir  Launcelot  to  love  his  daughter, 
fair  Elaine.  And  for  this  intent  :  the  king  knew  well  that 
Sir  Launcelot  should  have  a  child  by  his  daughter,  the  which 
should  be  named  Sir  Galahad  the  good  knight,  by  whom 
all  the  foreign  country  should  be  brought  out  of  danger, 
and  by  him  the  Holy  Greal  should  be  achieved. 

Then  came  forth  a  lady  that  hight  Dame  Brisen,  and 
she  said  unto  the  king  :  Sir,  wit  ye  well  Sir  Launcelot 
loveth  no  lady  in  the  world  but  all  only  Queen  Guenever  ; 
and  therefore  work  ye  by  counsel,  and  I  shall  make  him 
to  see  your  daughter,  and  he  shall  not  wit  but  that  he 
seeth  Queen  Guenever.  O  fair  lady,  Dame  Brisen,  said 
the  king,  hope  ye  to  bring  this  about  ?  Sir,  said  she, 
upon  pain  of  my  life  let  me  deal.  For  this  Brisen  was  one 
of  the  greatest  enchantresses  that  was  at  that  time  in  the 
world  living.  Then  anon  by  Dame  Brisen's  wit  she  made 
one  to  come  to  Sir  Launcelot  that  he  knew  well.  And 
this  man  brought  him  a  ring  from  Queen  Guenever  like 
as  it  had  come  from  her,  and  such  one  as  she  was  wont  for 
the  most  part  to  wear  ;  and  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  that 
token  wit  ye  well  he  was  never  so  fain.  Where  is  my  lady  ? 
said  Sir  Launcelot.  In  the  Castle  of  Case,  said  the  messenger, 
but  five  mile  hence.     Then  Sir  Launcelot  thought  to  be 


276   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

there  the  same  night.  And  then  this  Brisen  by  the  com- 
mandment of  King  Pelles  let  send  Elaine  to  this  castle  with 
twenty-five  knights  unto  the  Castle  of  Case.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  against  night  rode  unto  that  casde,  and  there 
anon  he  was  received  worshipfully  with  such  people,  to  his 
seeming,  as  were  about  Queen  Guenever. 

So  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  alighted,  then  Dame  Brisen 
brought  him  a  cup  full  of  wine  ;  and  anon  as  he  had  drunken 
that  wine  he  was  so  assotted  that  he  weened  that  maiden 
Elaine  had  been  Queen  Guenever.  Wit  you  well  that  Sir 
Launcelot  was  glad,  and  so  was  that  lady  Elaine,  for  well 
she  knew  that  of  them  should  be  born  Galahad  that  should 
prove  the  best  knight  of  the  world  ;  and  all  the  windows 
and  holes  of  that  chamber  were  stopped  that  no  manner  of 
day  might  be  seen.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  remembered 
him,  and  he  arose  up  and  went  to  the  window. 

And  anon  as  he  had  unshut  the  window  the  enchantment 
was  gone  ;  then  he  knew  himself  that  he  had  been  deceived. 
Alas,  he  said,  that  I  have  lived  so  long ;  now  I  am  shamed. 
So  then  he  gat  his  sword  in  his  hand  and  said  :  Thou  traitress, 
what  art  thou  ?  thou  shalt  die  right  here  of  my  hands. 
Then  this  fair  lady  Elaine  kneeled  down  afore  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  said  :  Fair  courteous  knight,  come  of  king's  blood,  I 
require  you  have  mercy  upon  me,  and  as  thou  art  renowned 
the  most  noble  knight  of  the  world,  slay  me  not,  for  I  shall 
have  a  son  by  thee  that  shall  be  the  most  noblest  knight  of 
the  world.  Ah,  false  traitress,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  why  hast 
thou  betrayed  me  ?  anon  tell  me  what  thou  art.  Sir,  she 
said,  I  am  Elaine,  the  daughter  of  King  Pelles.  Well,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  I  will  forgive  you  this  deed  ;  and  therewith 
he  took  her  up  in  his  arms,  and  kissed  her,  for  she  was  as 
fair  a  lady,  and  thereto  lusty  and  young,  and  as  wise,  as  any 


OF  THE  BIRTH  OF  GALAHAD  277 

was  that  time  living.  I  may  not  wite  this  to  you,  said  Sir 
Launcelot ;  but  her  that  made  this  enchantment  upon  me  as 
between  you  and  me,  an  I  may  find  her,  that  same  Lady  Brisen, 
she  shall  lose  her  head  for  witchcrafts,  for  there  was  never 
knight  deceived  so  as  I  am  this  night.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot 
arrayed  him,  and  armed  him,  and  took  his  leave  mildly  at 
that  lady  young  Elaine,  and  so  he  departed.  Then  she 
said  :  My  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  I  beseech  you  see  me  as  soon 
as  ye  may,  for  I  have  obeyed  me  unto  the  prophecy  that  my 
father  told  me.  And  by  his  commandment  to  fulfil  this 
prophecy  I  have  given  the  greatest  riches  and  the  fairest 
flower  that  ever  I  had,  and  that  is  my  maidenhood  that  I 
shall  never  have  again  ;  and  therefore,  gentle  knight,  owe 
me  your  goodwill. 

And  so  Sir  Launcelot  arrayed  him  and  was  armed,  and 
took  his  leave  mildly  at  that  young  lady  Elaine  ;  and  so  he 
departed,  and  rode  till  he  came  to  the  Castle  of  Corbin, 
where  her  father  was.  And  as  fast  as  her  time  came  she  was 
delivered  of  a  fair  child,  and  they  christened  him  Galahad  ; 
and  wit  ye  well  that  child  was  well  kept  and  well  nourished, 
and  he  was  named  Galahad  because  Sir  Launcelot  was  so 
named  at  the  fountain  stone  ;  and  after  that  the  Lady  of 
the  Lake  confirmed  him  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake. 

Then  after  this  lady  was  delivered  and  churched,  there 
came  a  knight  unto  her,  his  name  was  Sir  Bromel  la  Pleche, 
the  which  was  a  great  lord  ;  and  he  had  loved  that  lady 
long,  and  he  evermore  desired  her  to  wed  her  ;  and  so  by 
no  mean  she  could  put  him  off,  till  on  a  day  she  said  to  Sir 
Bromel  :  Wit  thou  well,  sir  knight,  I  will  not  love  you, 
for  my  love  is  set  upon  the  best  knight  of  the  world.  Who 
is  he  ?  said  Sir  Bromel.  Sir,  she  said,  it  is  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake  that  I  love  and  none  other,  and  therefore  woo  me 


278   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

no  longer.  Ye  say  well,  said  Sir  Bromel,  and  sithen  ye  have 
told  me  so  much,  ye  shall  have  but  little  joy  of  Sir  Launcelot, 
for  I  shall  slay  him  wheresomever  I  meet  him.  Sir,  said 
the  Lady  Elaine,  do  to  him  no  treason.  Wit  ye  well,  my 
lady,  said  Bromel,  and  I  promise  you  this  twelvemonth  I 
shall  keep  the  pont  of  Corbin  for  Sir  Launcelot's  sake,  that 
he  shall  neither  come  nor  go  unto  you,  but  I  shall  meet 
with  him. 

OF  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  SIR  BORS  AT 
THE  CASTLE  OF  CORBIN,  AND  HOW  HE 
WAS  FED  WITH  THE  SANG  REAL.  Then 
as  it  fell  by  fortune  and  adventure,  Sir  Bors  de 
Ganis,  that  was  nephew  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  came 
over  that  bridge  ;  and  there  Sir  Bromel  and  Sir  Bors  jousted, 
and  Sir  Bors  smote  Sir  Bromel  such  a  buffet  that  he  bare  him 
over  his  horse's  croup.  And  then  Sir  Bromel,  as  an  hardy 
knight,  pulled  out  his  sword,  and  dressed  his  shield  to  do 
battle  with  Sir  Bors.  And  then  Sir  Bors  alighted  and  avoided 
his  horse,  and  there  they  dashed  together  many  sad  strokes  ; 
and  long  thus  they  fought,  till  at  the  last  Sir  Bromel  was 
laid  to  the  earth,  and  there  Sir  Bors  began  to  unlace  his 
helm  to  slay  him.  Then  Sir  Bromel  cried  Sir  Bors  mercy, 
and  yielded  him.  Upon  this  covenant  thou  shalt  have 
thy  life,  said  Sir  Bors,  so  thou  go  unto  Sir  Launcelot  upon 
Whitsunday  that  next  cometh,  and  yield  thee  unto  him  as 
knight  recreant.  I  will  do  it,  said  Sir  Bromel,  and  that  he 
sware  upon  the  cross  of  the  sword.  And  so  Sir  Bors  let  him 
depart,  and  rode  unto  King  Pelles,  that  was  within  Corbin. 

And  when  the  king  and  Elaine  his  daughter  wist  that 
Sir  Bors  was  nephew  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  they  made  him 
great  cheer.     Then  said  Dame  Elaine  :    We  marvel  where 


How  at  the  Castle  of  Corbin  a  maiden  bare  in  the  Sangreal  and  foretold 
the  achievements  of  Galahad. 

To  face  page  278. 


OF  KING  PELLES  AND  SIR  BORS         279 

Sir  Launcelot  is,  for  he  came  never  here  but  once.  Marvel 
not,  said  Sir  Bors,  for  this  half  year  he  hath  been  in  prison 
with  Queen  Morgan  le  Fay,  King  Arthur's  sister.  Alas, 
said  Dame  Elaine,  that  me  repenteth.  And  ever  Sir  Bors 
beheld  that  child  in  her  arms,  and  ever  him  seemed  it  was 
passing  like  Sir  Launcelot.  Truly,  said  Elaine,  wit  ye  well 
this  is  his  child.  Then  Sir  Bors  wept  for  joy,  and  he 
prayed  to  God  it  might  prove  as  good  a  knight  as  his 
father  was.  And  so  came  in  a  white  dove,  and  she  bare  a 
litde  censer  of  gold  in  her  mouth,  and  there  was  all  manner 
of  meats  and  drinks  ;  and  a  maiden  bare  that  Sangreal, 
and  she  said  openly  :  Wit  you  well,  Sir  Bors,  that  this  child 
is  Galahad,  that  shall  sit  in  the  Siege  Perilous,  and  achieve 
the  Sangreal,  and  he  shall  be  much  better  than  ever  was 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  that  is  his  own  father.  And  then 
they  kneeled  down  and  made  their  devotions,  and  there 
was  such  a  savour  as  all  the  spicery  in  the  world  had  been 
there.  And  when  the  dove  took  her  flight,  the  maiden 
vanished  with  the  Sangreal  as  she  came. 

Sir,  said  Sir  Bors  unto  King  Pelles,  this  castle  may  be 
named  the  Castle  Adventurous,  for  here  be  many  strange 
adventures.  That  is  sooth,  said  the  king,  for  well  may  this 
place  be  called  the  adventurous  place,  for  there  come  but 
few  knights  here  that  go  away  with  any  worship  ;  be  he 
never  so  strong,  here  he  may  be  proved  ;  and  but  late  Sir 
Gawaine,  the  good  knight,  gat  but  little  worship  here. 
For  I  let  you  wit,  said  King  Pelles,  here  shall  no  knight 
win  no  worship  but  if  he  be  of  worship  himself  and  of  good 
living,  and  that  loveth  God  and  dreadeth  God,  and  else 
he  getteth  no  worship  here,  be  he  never  so  hardy.  That 
is  a  wonderful  thing,  said  Sir  Bors.  What  ye  mean  in  this 
country  I  wot  not,  for  ye  have  many  strange  adventures, 

u 


28o   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

and  therefore  I  will  lie  in  this  castle  this  night.  Ye  shall 
not  do  so,  said  King  Pelles,  by  my  counsel,  for  it  is  hard 
an  ye  escape  without  a  shame.  I  shall  take  the  adventure 
that  will  befall  me,  said  Sir  Bors.  Then  I  counsel  you,  said 
the  king,  to  be  confessed  clean.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Bors, 
I  will  be  shriven  with  a  good  will.  So  Sir  Bors  was  confessed, 
and  for  all  women  Sir  Bors  was  a  virgin,  save  for  one,  that 
was  the  daughter  of  King  Brangoris,  and  their  child  hight 
Elaine,  and  save  for  her  Sir  Bors  was  a  clean  maiden. 

And  so  Sir  Bors  was  led  unto  bed  in  a  fair  large  chamber, 
and  many  doors  were  shut  about  the  chamber.  When 
Sir  Bors  espied  all  those  doors,  he  avoided  all  the  people, 
for  he  might  have  nobody  with  him  ;  but  in  no  wise  Sir 
Bors  would  unarm  him,  but  so  he  laid  him  down  upon  the 
bed.  And  right  so  he  saw  come  in  a  light,  that  he  might 
well  see  a  spear  great  and  long  that  came  straight  upon  him 
poinding,  and  to  Sir  Bors  seemed  that  the  head  of  the  spear 
brent  like  a  taper.  And  anon,  ere  Sir  Bors  wist,  the  spear 
head  smote  him  into  the  shoulder  an  handbreadth  in  deep- 
ness, and  that  wound  grieved  Sir  Bors  passing  sore.  And 
then  he  laid  him  down  again  for  pain  ;  and  anon  there- 
withal there  came  a  knight  armed  with  his  shield  on  his 
shoulder  and  his  sword  in  his  hand,  and  he  bade  Sir  Bors  : 
Arise,  sir  knight,  and  fight  with  me.  I  am  sore  hurt,  he 
said,  but  yet  I  shall  not  fail  thee.  And  then  Sir  Bors  started 
up  and  dressed  his  shield  ;  and  then  they  lashed  together 
mightily  a  great  while  ;  and  at  the  last  Sir  Bors  bare  him 
backward  until  that  he  came  unto  a  chamber  door,  and  there 
that  knight  went  into  that  chamber  and  rested  him  a  great 
while.  And  when  he  had  reposed  him  he  came  out  freshly 
again,  and  began  new  battle  with  Sir  Bors  mightily  and 
strongly. 


OF  SIR  BORS  AND  HIS  ADVENTURES     281 

Then  Sir  Bors  thought  he  should  no  more  go  into  that 
chamber  to  rest  him,  and  so  Sir  Bors  dressed  him  betwixt 
the  knight  and  that  chamber  door,  and  there  Sir  Bors  smote 
him  down,  and  then  that  knight  yielded  him.  What  is 
your  name  ?  said  Sir  Bors.  Sir,  said  he,  my  name  is  Pedivere 
of  the  Straight  Marches.  So  Sir  Bors  made  him  to  swear 
at  Whitsunday  next  coming  to  be  at  the  court  of  King 
Arthur,  and  yield  him  there  as  a  prisoner  as  an  overcome 
knight  by  the  hands  of  Sir  Bors.  So  thus  departed  Sir 
Pedivere  of  the  Straight  Marches.  And  then  Sir  Bors  laid 
him  down  to  rest,  and  then  he  heard  and  felt  much  noise 
in  that  chamber  ;  and  then  Sir  Bors  espied  that  there  came 
in,  he  wist  not  whether  at  the  doors  nor  windows,  shot  of 
arrows  and  of  quarrels  so  thick  that  he  marvelled,  and  many 
fell  upon  him  and  hurt  him  in  the  bare  places. 

And  then  Sir  Bors  was  ware  where  came  in  an  hideous 
lion  ;  so  Sir  Bors  dressed  him  unto  the  lion,  and  anon  the 
lion  bereft  him  his  shield,  and  with  his  sword  Sir  Bors  smote 
off  the  lion's  head.  Right  so  Sir  Bors  forthwithal  saw  a 
dragon  in  the  court  passing  horrible,  and  there  seemed  letters 
of  gold  written  in  his  forehead  ;  and  Sir  Bors  thought  that 
the  letters  made  a  signification  of  King  Arthur.  Right 
so  there  came  an  horrible  leopard  and  an  old,  and  there 
they  fought  long,  and  did  great  batde  together.  And  at 
the  last  the  dragon  spit  out  of  his  mouth  as  it  had  been  an 
hundred  dragons  ;  and  lighdy  all  the  small  dragons  slew 
the  old  dragon  and  tare  him  all  to  pieces. 

Anon  withal  there  came  an  old  man  into  the  hall,  and 
he  sat  him  down  in  a  fair  chair,  and  there  seemed  to  be 
two  adders  about  his  neck  ;  and  then  the  old  man  had  an 
harp,  and  there  he  sang  an  old  song  how  Joseph  of  Aramathie 
came  into  this  land.     Then  when  he  had  sung,  the  old  man 


282   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

bade  Sir  Bors  go  from  thence.  For  here  shall  ye  have  no 
more  adventures  ;  and  full  worshipfully  have  ye  done, 
and  better  shall  ye  do  hereafter.  And  then  Sir  Bors  seemed 
that  there  came  the  whitest  dove  with  a  little  golden  censer 
in  her  mouth.  And  anon  therewithal  the  tempest  ceased 
and  passed,  that  afore  was  marvellous  to  hear.  So  was  all 
that  court  full  of  good  savours.  Then  Sir  Bors  saw  four 
children  bearing  four  fair  tapers,  and  an  old  man  in  the 
midst  of  the  children  with  a  censer  in  his  one  hand,  and  a 
spear  in  his  other  hand,  and  that  spear  was  called  the  Spear 
of  Vengeance. 

Now,  said  that  old  man  to  Sir  Bors,  go  ye  to  your  cousin, 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  tell  him  of  this  adventure  the  which 
had  been  most  convenient  for  him  of  all  earthly  knights  ; 
but  sin  is  so  foul  in  him  he  may  not  achieve  such  holy  deeds, 
for  had  not  been  his  sin  he  had  passed  all  the  knights  that 
ever  were  in  his  days  ;  and  tell  thou  Sir  Launcelot,  of  all 
worldly  adventures  he  passeth  in  manhood  and  prowess 
all  other,  but  in  these  spiritual  matters  he  shall  have  many 
his  better.  And  then  Sir  Bors  saw  four  gentlewomen  come 
by  him,  purely  beseen  :  and  he  saw  where  that  they  entered 
into  a  chamber  where  was  great  light  as  it  were  a  summer 
light  ;  and  the  women  kneeled  down  afore  an  altar  of  silver 
with  four  pillars,  and  as  it  had  been  a  bishop  kneeled  down 
afore  that  table  of  silver.  And  as  Sir  Bors  looked  over  his 
head  he  saw  a  sword  like  silver,  naked,  hoving  over  his  head, 
and  the  clearness  thereof  smote  so  in  his  eyes  that  as  at  that 
time  Sir  Bors  was  blind  ;  and  there  he  heard  a  voice  that 
said  :  Go  hence,  thou  Sir  Bors,  for  as  yet  thou  art  not 
worthy  for  to  be  in  this  place.  And  then  he  went  backward 
to  his  bed  till  on  the  morn.  And  on  the  morn  King  Pelles 
made  great  joy  of  Sir  Bors  ;  and  then  he  departed  and  rode 


HOW  DAME  ELAINE  CAME  TO  CAMELOT   283 

to  Camelot,  and  there  he  found  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  and 
told  him  of  the  adventures  that  he  had  seen  with  King  Pelles 
at  Corbin. 

So  the  noise  sprang  in  Arthur's  court  that  Launcelot 
had  a  child  by  Elaine,  the  daughter  of  King  Pelles, 
wherefore  Queen  Guenever  was  wroth,  and  gave  many 
rebukes  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  called  him  false  knight.  And 
then  Sir  Launcelot  told  the  queen  all,  and  how  he  was  made 
to  meet  her  by  enchantment  in  likeness  of  the  queen.  So 
the  queen  held  Sir  Launcelot  excused.  And  as  the  book 
saith,  King  Arthur  had  been  in  France,  and  had  made  war 
upon  the  mighty  King  Claudas,  and  had  won  much  of  his 
lands.  And  when  the  king  was  come  again  he  let  cry  a 
great  feast,  that  all  lords  and  ladies  of  all  England  should  be 
there,  but  if  it  were  such  as  were  rebellious  against  him. 

HOW  DAME  ELAINE,  GALAHAD'S  MOTHER, 
CAME  IN  GREAT  ESTATE  UNTO  CAME- 
LOT, AND  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  BE- 
HAVED HIM  THERE.  And  when  Dame  Elaine,  the 
daughter  of  King  Pelles,  heard  of  this  feast  she  went  to  her 
father  and  required  him  that  he  would  give  her  leave  to  ride 
to  that  feast.  The  king  answered  :  I  will  well  ye  go  thither, 
but  in  any  wise  as  ye  love  me  and  will  have  my  blessing,  that 
ye  be  well  beseen  in  the  richest  wise  ;  and  look  that  ye  spare 
not  for  no  cost  ;  ask  and  ye  shall  have  all  that  you  needeth. 
Then  by  the  advice  of  Dame  Brisen,  her  maiden,  all  thing  was 
apparelled  unto  the  purpose,  that  there  was  never  no  lady 
more  richlier  beseen.  So  she  rode  with  twenty  knights, 
and  ten  ladies,  and  gentlewomen,  to  the  number  of  an 
hundred  horses.  And  when  she  came  to  Camelot,  King 
Arthur  and  Queen  Guenever  said,  and  all  the  knights,  that 


284  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

Dame  Elaine  was  the  fairest  and  the  best  beseen  lady  that 
ever  was  seen  in  that  court.  And  anon  as  King  Arthur 
wist  that  she  was  come  he  met  her  and  saluted  her,  and  so 
did  the  most  part  of  all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table, 
both  Sir  Tristram,  Sir  Bleoberis,  and  Sir  Gawaine,  and 
many  more  that  I  will  not  rehearse.  But  when  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  her  he  was  so  ashamed,  and  that  because  he  drew  his 
sword  on  her,  that  he  would  not  salute  her  nor  speak  to  her ; 
and  yet  Sir  Launcelot  thought  she  was  the  fairest  woman 
that  ever  he  saw  in  his  life-days. 

But  when  Dame  Elaine  saw  Sir  Launcelot  that  would 
not  speak  unto  her  she  was  so  heavy  that  she  weened  her 
heart  would  have  to-brast ;  for  wit  you  well,  out  of  measure 
she  loved  him.  And  then  Elaine  said  unto  her  woman, 
Dame  Brisen  :  The  unkindness  of  Sir  Launcelot  slayeth 
me  near.  Ah,  peace,  madam,  said  Dame  Brisen,  I  will 
undertake  that  he  shall  come  to  you,  an  ye  would  hold  you 
still.  That  were  me  liefer,  said  Dame  Elaine,  than  all  the 
gold  that  is  above  the  earth.  Let  me  deal,  said  Dame  Brisen. 
So  when  Elaine  was  brought  unto  Queen  Guenever  either 
made  other  good  cheer  by  countenance,  but  nothing  with 
hearts.  But  all  men  and  women  spake  of  the  beauty  of 
Dame  Elaine,  and  of  her  great  riches. 

Then  the  queen  commanded  that  Dame  Elaine  should 
sleep  in  a  chamber  nigh  her  chamber,  and  all  under  one 
roof ;  and  so  it  was  done  as  the  queen  commanded.  Then 
the  queen  sent  for  Sir  Launcelot  and  bade  him  come  to  her  : 
Or  else  I  am  sure,  said  the  queen,  that  ye  will  go  to  your 
lady,  Dame  Elaine,  by  whom  ye  had  Galahad.  Ah,  madam, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  never  say  ye  so,  for  that  was  against  my 
will.  Then,  said  the  queen,  look  that  ye  come  to  me  when  I 
send  for  you.     Madam,  said  Launcelot,  I  shall  not  fail  you, 


OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER    285 

but  I  shall  be  ready  at  your  commandment.  This  bargain 
was  soon  done  and  made  between  them,  but  Dame  Brisen 
knew  it  by  her  crafts,  and  told  it  to  her  lady,  Dame  Elaine. 
Alas,  said  she,  how  shall  I  do  ?  Let  me  deal,  said  Dame 
Brisen,  for  I  shall  bring  him  by  the  hand  even  to  you,  and 
he  shall  ween  that  I  am  Queen  Guenever's  messenger.  Now 
well  is  me,  said  Dame  Elaine,  for  all  the  world  I  love  not 
so  much  as  I  do  Sir  Launcelot. 

So  then  Dame  Brisen-  came  to  Sir  Launcelot  and  said  : 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever,  awaiteth 
upon  you.  O  my  fair  lady,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  am  ready 
to  go  with  you  where  ye  will  have  me.  So  Sir  Launcelot 
took  his  sword  in  his  hand  ;  and  then  Dame  Brisen  took  him 
by  the  finger  and  led  him  to  her  lady,  Dame  Elaine  ;  and 
then  she  departed  and  left  them  together.  Wit  ye  well  the 
lady  was  glad,  and  so  was  Sir  Launcelot,  for  he  weened  that 
it  was  the  queen. 

Then  Queen  Guenever  sent  one  of  her  women  unto  Sir 
Launcelot ;  and  when  she  came  there  she  found  he  was  away  ; 
so  she  came  to  the  queen  and  told  her  all.  Alas,  said  the 
queen,  where  is  that  false  knight  become  ?  Then  the 
queen  was  nigh  out  of  her  wit,  and  then  she  writhed  and 
weltered  as  a  mad  woman,  and  at  the  last  the  queen  met 
with  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  thus  she  said  :  False  traitor  knight 
that  thou  art,  look  thou  never  abide  in  my  court,  and  not 
so  hardy,  thou  false  traitor  knight  that  thou  art,  that  ever 
thou  come  in  my  sight.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot ;  and 
therewith  he  took  such  an  heardy  sorrow  at  her  words  that 
he  fell  down  to  the  floor  in  a  swoon.  And  therewithal 
Queen  Guenever  departed.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
awoke  of  his  swoon,  he  leapt  out  at  a  bay  window  into 
a  garden,  and   there  with  thorns  he   was   all  to-scratched 


286   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

in  his  visage  and  his  body  ;  and  so  he  ran  forth  he  wist 
not  whither,  and  was  wild  wood  as  ever  was  man  ;  and 
so  he  ran  two  year,  and  never  man  might  have  grace  to 
know  him. 

IHOW  DAME  ELAINE  WAS  COM- 
MANDED BY  QUEEN  GUENEVERTO 
'AVOID  THE  COURT,  AND  HOW  SIR 
eLAUNCELOT  BECAME  MAD,  AND 
fOF  THE  SORROW  OF  QUEEN  GUEN- 
EVER.  Now  turn  we  unto  Queen  Guenever  and  to  the  fair 
Lady  Elaine.  When  Dame  Elaine  heard  the  queen  so  to 
rebuke  Sir  Launcelot,  and  also  she  saw  how  he  swooned,  and 
how  he  leaped  out  at  a  bay  window,  then  she  said  unto  Queen 
Guenever  :  Madam,  ye  are  greatly  to  blame  for  Sir  Launce- 
lot, for  now  have  ye  lost  him,  for  I  saw  and  heard  by  his 
countenance  that  he  is  mad  for  ever.  Alas,  madam,  ye  do 
great  sin,  and  to  yourself  great  dishonour,  for  ye  have  a  lord 
of  your  own,  and  therefore  it  is  your  part  to  love  him  ;  for 
there  is  no  queen  in  this  world  hath  such  another  king  as 
ye  have.  And,  if  ye  were  not,  I  might  have  the  love  of 
my  lord  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  cause  I  have  to  love  him  for 
I  am  his,  and  by  him  I  have  borne  a  fair  son,  and  his 
name  is  Galahad,  and  he  shall  be  in  his  time  the  best  knight 
of  the  world.  Dame  Elaine,  said  the  queen,  when  it  is 
daylight  I  charge  you  and  command  you  to  avoid  my  court ; 
and  for  the  love  ye  owe  unto  Sir  Launcelot  discover  not 
his  counsel,  for  an  ye  do,  it  will  be  his  death.  As  for  that, 
said  Dame  Elaine,  I  dare  undertake  he  is  marred  for  ever, 
and  that  have  ye  made  ;  for  ye,  nor  I,  are  like  to  rejoice 
him  ;  for  he  made  the  most  piteous  groans  when  he  leapt 
out  at  yonder  bay  window  that  ever  I  heard  man  make. 


OF  QUEEN  GUENEVER  AND  ELAINE     287 

Alas,  said  fair  Elaine,  and  alas,  said  the  Queen  Guenever, 
for  now  I  wot  well  we  have  lost  him  for  ever. 

So  on  the  morn  Dame  Elaine  took  her  leave  to  depart, 
and  she  would  no  longer  abide.  Then  King  Arthur  brought 
her  on  her  way  with  mo  than  an  hundred  knights  through 
a  forest.  And  by  the  way  she  told  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  all 
how  it  betid,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  leapt  out  at  a 
window,  araged  out  of  his  wit.  Alas,  said  Sir  Bors,  where 
is  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  become  ?  Sir,  said  Elaine,  I 
wot  never.  Alas,  said  Sir  Bors,  betwixt  you  both  ye  have 
destroyed  that  good  knight.  As  for  me,  said  Dame  Elaine, 
I  said  never  nor  did  never  thing  that  should  in  any  wise 
displease  him,  but  with  the  rebuke  that  Queen  Guenever 
gave  him  I  saw  him  swoon  to  the  earth  ;  and  when  he 
awoke  he  took  his  sword  in  his  hand  and  leapt  out  at  a 
window  with  the  grisliest  groan  that  ever  I  heard  man 
make.  Now  farewell,  Dame  Elaine,  said  Sir  Bors,  and 
hold  my  lord  Arthur  with  a  tale  as  long  as  ye  can,  for 
I  will  turn  again  to  Queen  Guenever  and  give  her  a  hete  ; 
and  I  require  you,  as  ever  ye  will  have  my  service,  make 
good  watch  and  espy  if  ever  ye  may  see  my  lord  Sir  Launce- 
lot. Truly,  said  fair  Elaine,  I  shall  do  all  that  I  may  do,  for 
as  fain  would  I  know  and  wit  where  he  is  become,  as  you, 
or  any  of  his  kin,  or  Queen  Guenever  ;  and  cause  great 
enough  have  I  thereto  as  well  as  any  other.  And  wit  ye 
well,  said  fair  Elaine  to  Sir  Bors,  I  would  lose  my  life  for 
him  rather  than  he  should  be  hurt ;  but  alas,  I  cast  me 
never  for  to  see  him,  and  the  chief  causer  of  this  is  Dame 
Guenever.  Madam,  said  Dame  Brisen,  the  which  had 
made  the  enchantment  before  betwixt  Sir  Launcelot  and  her, 
I  pray  you  heartily,  let  Sir  Bors  depart,  and  hie  him  with 
all  his  might  as  fast  as  he  may  to  seek  Sir  Launcelot,  for  I 


288   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

warn  you  he  is  clean  out  of  his  mind  ;  and  yet  he  shall  be 
well  holpen  an  but  by  miracle. 

Then  wept  Dame  Elaine,  and  so  did  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis ; 
and  so  they  departed,  and  Sir  Bors  rode  straight  unto  Queen 
Guenever.  And  when  she  saw  Sir  Bors  she  wept  as  she 
were  wood.  Fie  on  your  weeping,  said  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis, 
for  ye  weep  never  but  when  there  is  no  bote.  Alas,  said  Sir 
Bors,  that  ever  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  saw  you,  for  now  have 
ye  lost  the  best  knight  of  our  blood,  and  he  that  was  all  our 
leader  and  our  succour  ;  and  I  dare  say  and  make  it  good 
that  all  kings,  christian  nor  heathen,  may  not  find  such  a 
knight,  for  to  speak  of  his  nobleness  and  courtesy,  with  his 
beauty  and  his  gentleness.  Alas,  said  Sir  Bors,  what  shall 
we  do  that  be  of  his  blood  ?  Alas,  said  Sir  Ector  de  Maris. 
Alas,  said  Lionel. 

And  when  the  queen  heard  them  say  so  she  fell  to  the 
earth  in  a  dead  swoon.  And  then  Sir  Bors  took  her  up, 
and  dawed  her  ;  and  when  she  was  awaked  she  kneeled 
afore  the  three  knights,  and  held  up  both  her  hands,  and 
besought  them  to  seek  him.  And  spare  not  for  no  goods 
but  that  he  be  found,  for  I  wot  he  is  out  of  his  mind.  And 
Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector,  and  Sir  Lionel  departed  from  the  queen, 
for  they  might  not  abide  no  longer  for  sorrow.  And  then 
the  queen  sent  them  treasure  enough  for  their  expenses, 
and  so  they  took  their  horses  and  their  armour,  and  departed. 
And  then  they  rode  from  country  to  country,  in  forests,  and 
in  wilderness,  and  in  wastes  ;  and  ever  they  laid  watch  both 
at  forests  and  at  all  manner  of  men  as  they  rode,  to  hearken 
and  spere  after  him,  as  he  that  was  a  naked  man,  in  his  shirt, 
with  a  sword  in  his  hand.  And  thus  they  rode  nigh  a 
quarter  of  a  year,  endlong  and  overthwart,  in  many  places, 
forests  and  wilderness,  and  oft-times  were  evil  lodged  for 


OF  THE  SORROW  FOR  SIR  LAUNCELOT   289 

his  sake  ;  and  yet  for  all  their  labour  and  seeking  could  they 
never  hear  word  of  him.  And  wit  you  well  these  three 
knights  were  passing  sorry. 

Then  at  the  last  Sir  Bors  and  his  fellows  met  with  a 
knight  that  hight  Sir  Melion  de  Tartare.  Now  fair  knight, 
said  Sir  Bors,  whither  be  ye  away  ?  for  they  knew  either  other 
afore  time.  Sir,  said  Melion,  I  am  in  the  way  toward  the  court 
of  King  Arthur.  Then  we  pray  you,  said  Sir  Bors,  that  ye 
will  tell  my  lord  Arthur,  and  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever, 
and  all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  that  we  cannot 
in  no  wise  hear  tell  where  Sir  Launcelot  is  become.  Then 
Sir  Melion  departed  from  them,  and  said  that  he  would  tell 
the  king,  and  the  queen,  and  all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round 
Table,  as  they  had  desired  him.  So  when  Sir  Melion  came 
to  the  court  of  King  Arthur  he  told  the  king,  and  the  queen, 
and  all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  what  Sir  Bors 
had  said  of  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Uwaine, 
Sir  Sagramore  le  Desirous,  Sir  Aglovale,  and  Sir  Percivale 
de  Galis  took  upon  them  by  the  great  desire  of  King  Arthur, 
and  in  especial  by  the  queen,  to  seek  throughout  all  England, 
Wales,  and  Scotland,  to  find  Sir  Launcelot,  and  with  them 
rode  eighteen  knights  mo  to  bear  them  fellowship  ;  and 
wit  ye  well,  they  lacked  no  manner  of  spending  ;  and  so 
were  they  three  and  twenty  knights. 

And  thus  as  these  noble  knights  rode  together,  they  by 
one  assent  departed,  and  then  they  rode  by  two,  by  three, 
and  by  four,  and  by  five,  and  ever  they  assigned  where  they 
should  meet.  And  so  Sir  Aglovale  and  Sir  Percivale  rode 
together  unto  their  mother  that  was  a  queen  in  those  days. 
And  when  she  saw  her  two  sons,  for  joy  she  wept  tenderly. 
And  then  she  said  :  Ah,  my  dear  sons,  when  your  father 
was  slain  he  left  me  four  sons,  of  the  which  now  be  twain 


29o   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

slain.  And  for  the  death  of  my  noble  son,  Sir  Lamorak, 
shall  my  heart  never  be  glad.  And  then  she  kneeled  down 
upon  her  knees  to-fore  Aglovale  and  Sir  Percivale,  and 
besought  them  to  abide  at  home  with  her.  Ah,  sweet  mother, 
said  Sir  Percivale,  we  may  not,  for  we  be  come  of  king's 
blood  of  both  parties,  and  therefore,  mother,  it  is  our  kind 
to  haunt  arms  and  noble  deeds.  Alas,  my  sweet  sons,  then 
she  said,  for  your  sakes  I  shall  lose  my  liking  and  lust,  and 
then  wind  and  weather  I  may  not  endure,  what  for  the 
death  of  your  father,  King  Pellinore,  that  was  shamefully 
slain  by  the  hands  of  Sir  Gawaine,  and  his  brother,  Sir 
Gaheris  :  and  they  slew  him  not  manly  but  by  treason. 
Ah,  my  dear  sons,  this  is  a  piteous  complaint  for  me  of  your 
father's  death,  considering  also  the  death  of  Sir  Lamorak, 
that  of  knighthood  had  but  few  fellows.  Now,  my  dear 
sons,  have  this  in  your  mind.  Then  there  was  but  weeping 
and  sobbing  in  the  court  when  they  should  depart,  and  she 
fell  a-swooning  in  midst  of  the  court. 

HOW  SIR  PERCIVALE  SOUGHT  FOR  SIR 
LAUNCELOT,  HOW  HE  FOUGHT  WITH  SIR 
ECTOR,  AND  HOW  THEY  WERE  BOTH 
MADE  WHOLE  BY  THE  COMING  OF  THE  SAN- 
GREAL.  Then  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir  Aglovale  rode  into 
many  countries,  ever  inquiring  after  Sir  Launcelot,  but 
never  they  could  hear  of  him  ;  and  at  the  last  they 
came  to  a  casde  that  hight  Cardican,  and  there  they  were 
lodged  together.  And  privily  about  midnight  Sir  Percivale 
came  to  Aglovale's  squire  and  said  :  Arise  and  make 
thee  ready,  for  ye  and  I  will  ride  away  secretly.  Sir, 
said  the  squire,  I  would  full  fain  ride  with  you  where 
ye  would  have  me,  but  an  my  lord,  your  brother,  take  me 


OF  SIR  PERCIVALE  AND  SIR  PERSIDES    291 

he  will  slay  me.  As  for  that  care  thou  not,  for  I  shall 
be  thy  warrant. 

And  so  Sir  Percivale  rode  till  it  was  after  noon,  and  then 
he  came  upon  a  bridge  of  stone,  and  there  he  found  a  knight 
that  was  bound  with  a  chain  fast  about  the  waist  unto  a 
pillar  of  stone.  O  fair  knight,  said  that  bound  knight,  I 
require  thee  loose  me  of  my  bonds.  What  knight  are  ye, 
said  Sir  Percivale,  and  for  what  cause  are  ye  so  bound  ?  Sir, 
I  shall  tell  you,  said  that  knight  :  I  am  a  knight  of  the 
Table  Round,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Persides  ;  and  thus  by 
adventure  I  came  this  way,  and  here  I  lodged  in  this  casde 
at  the  bridge  foot,  and  therein  dwelleth  an  uncourteous 
lady  ;  and  because  she  proffered  me  to  be  her  paramour, 
and  I  refused  her,  she  set  her  men  upon  me  suddenly  or  ever 
I  might  come  to  my  weapon  ;  and  thus  they  bound  me,  and 
here  I  wot  well  I  shall  die  but  if  some  man  of  worship  break 
my  bands.  Be  ye  of  good  cheer,  said  Sir  Percivale,  and 
because  ye  are  a  knight  of  die  Round  Table  as  well  as  I, 
I  trust  to  God  to  break  your  bands.  And  therewith  Sir 
Percivale  pulled  out  his  sword  and  struck  at  the  chain  with 
such  a  might  that  he  cut  a-two  the  chain,  and  through  Sir 
Persides'  hauberk  and  hurt  him  a  little.  That  was  a  mighty 
stroke  as  ever  I  felt  one,  said  Sir  Persides,  for  had  not  the 
chain  been  ye  had  slain  me. 

And  therewithal  Sir  Persides  saw  a  knight  coming  out 
of  a  castle  all  that  ever  he  might  fling.  Beware,  sir,  said 
Sir  Persides,  yonder  cometh  a  man  that  will  have  ado  with 
you.  Let  him  come,  said  Sir  Percivale.  And  so  he  met 
with  that  knight  in  midst  of  the  bridge  ;  and  Sir  Percivale 
gave  him  such  a  buffet  that  he  smote  him  quite  from  his 
horse  and  over  a  part  of  the  bridge,  that,  had  not  been  a 
little  vessel  under  the  bridge,  that  knight  had  been  drowned. 


292   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

And  then  Sir  Percivale  took  the  knight's  horse  and  made 
Sir  Persides  to  mount  up  him  ;  and  so  they  rode  unto  the 
castle,  and  bade  the  lady  deliver  Sir  Persides'  servants,  or 
else  he  would  slay  all  that  ever  he  found  ;  and  so  for  fear 
she  delivered  them  all.  Then  was  Sir  Percivale  ware  of  a 
lady  that  stood  in  that  tower.  Ah,  madam,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
what  use  and  custom  is  that  in  a  lady  to  destroy  good  knights 
but  if  they  will  be  your  paramour  ?  Forsooth  this  is  a  shame- 
ful custom  of  a  lady,  and  if  I  had  not  a  great  matter  in  my 
hand  I  should  fordo  your  evil  customs. 

And  so  Sir  Persides  brought  Sir  Percivale  unto  his  own 
castle,  and  there  he  made  him  great  cheer  all  that  night. 
And  on  the  morn,  when  Sir  Percivale  had  heard  mass  and 
broken  his  fast,  he  bade  Sir  Persides  ride  unto  King  Arthur  : 
And  tell  the  king  how  that  ye  met  with  me  ;  and  tell  my 
brother,  Sir  Aglovale,  how  I  rescued  you  ;  and  bid  him 
seek  not  after  me,  for  I  am  in  the  quest  to  seek  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake,  and  though  he  seek  me  he  shall  not  find  me  ;  and 
tell  him  I  will  never  see  him,  nor  the  court,  till  I  have  found 
Sir  Launcelot.  And  so  Sir  Persides  departed  from  Sir 
Percivale,  and  then  he  rode  unto  King  Arthur,  and  told 
there  of  Sir  Percivale.  And  when  Sir  Aglovale  heard  him 
speak  of  his  brother  Sir  Percivale,  he  said  :  He  departed 
from  me  unkindly. 

And  now  will  we  turn  unto  Sir  Percivale  that  rode  long ; 
and  in  a  forest  he  met  a  knight  with  a  broken  shield  and  a 
broken  helm  ;  and  as  soon  as  either  saw  other  readily  they 
made  them  ready  to  joust,  and  so  hurtled  together  with  all 
the  might  of  their  horses,  and  met  together  so  hard,  that 
Sir  Percivale  was  smitten  to  the  earth.  And  then  Sir  Perci- 
vale arose  lightly,  and  cast  his  shield  on  his  shoulder  and 
drew  his  sword,  and  bade  the  other  knight :    Alight,  and 


OF  SIR  PERCIVALE  AND  SIR  ECTOR    293 

do  we  battle  unto  the  uttermost.  Will  ye  more  ?  said  that 
knight.  And  therewith  he  alighted,  and  put  his  horse 
from  him  ;  and  then  they  came  together  an  easy  pace,  and 
there  they  lashed  together  with  noble  swords,  and  sometime 
they  struck  and  sometime  they  foined,  and  either  gave  other 
many  great  wounds.  Thus  they  fought  near  half  a  day, 
and  never  rested  but  right  little,  and  there  was  none  of  them 
both  that  had  less  wounds  than  fifteen,  and  they  bled  so 
much  that  it  was  marvel  they  stood  on  their  feet.  But 
this  knight  that  fought  with  Sir  Percivale  was  a  proved  knight 
and  a  wise-fighting  knight,  and  Sir  Percivale  was  young 
and  strong,  not  knowing  in  fighting  as  the  other  was. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  spoke  first,  and  said  :  Sir  knight, 
hold  thy  hand  a  while  still,  for  we  have  fought  for  a  simple 
matter  and  quarrel  overlong,  and  therefore  I  require  thee 
tell  me  thy  name,  for  I  was  never  or  this  time  matched. 
So  God  me  help,  said  that  knight,  and  never  or  this  time 
was  there  never  knight  that  wounded  me  so  sore  as  thou 
hast  done,  and  yet  have  I  fought  in  many  battles  ;  and  now 
shalt  thou  wit  that  I  am  a  knight  of  the  Table  Round,  and 
my  name  is  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  brother  unto  the  good 
knight,  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Alas,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
and  my  name  is  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis  that  hath  made  my 
quest  to  seek  Sir  Launcelot,  and  now  I  am  sure  that  I  shall 
never  finish  my  quest,  for  ye  have  slain  me  with  your  hands. 
It  is  not  so,  said  Sir  Ector,  for  I  am  slain  by  your  hands, 
and  may  not  live.  Therefore  I  require  you,  said  Sir  Ector 
unto  Sir  Percivale,  ride  ye  hereby  to  a  priory,  and  bring 
me  a  priest  that  I  may  receive  my  Saviour,  for  I  may  not 
live.  And  when  ye  come  to  the  court  of  King  Arthur  tell 
not  my  brother,  Sir  Launcelot,  how  that  ye  slew  me,  for  then 
he  would  be  your  mortal  enemy,  but  ye  may  say  that  I  was 


294  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

slain  in  my  quest  as  I  sought  him.  Alas,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
ye  say  that  never  will  be,  for  I  am  so  faint  for  bleeding  that 
I  may  unnethe  stand,  how  should  I  then  take  my  horse  ? 

Then  they  made  both  great  dole  out  of  measure.  This 
will  not  avail,  said  Sir  Percivale.  And  then  he  kneeled 
down  and  made  his  prayer  devoutly  unto  Almighty  Jesu, 
for  he  was  one  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world  that  at  that 
time  was,  in  whom  the  very  faith  stood  most  in.  Right 
so  there  came  by  the  holy  vessel  of  the  Sangreal  with  all 
manner  of  sweetness  and  savour  ;  but  they  could  not  readily 
see  who  that  bare  that  vessel,  but  Sir  Percivale  had  a  glimmer- 
ing of  the  vessel  and  of  the  maiden  that  bare  it,  for  he  was 
a  perfect  clean  maiden.  And  forthwithal  they  both  were 
as  whole  of  hide  and  limb  as  ever  they  were  in  their  life- 
days  :  then  they  gave  thankings  to  God  with  great  mildness. 

0  Jesu,  said  Sir  Percivale,  what  may  this  mean,  that  we  be 
thus  healed,  and  right  now  we  were  at  the  point  of  dying  ? 

1  wot  full  well,  said  Sir  Ector,  what  it  is  ;  it  is  an  holy  vessel 
that  is  borne  by  a  maiden,  and  therein  is  part  of  the  holy 
blood  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  blessed  mote  he  be.  But  it 
may  not  be  seen,  said  Sir  Ector,  but  if  it  be  by  a  perfect 
man.  Truly,  said  Sir  Percivale,  I  saw  a  damosel,  as  me 
thought,  all  in  white,  with  a  vessel  in  both  her  hands,  and 
forthwithal  I  was  whole. 

So  then  they  took  their  horses  and  their  harness,  and 
amended  their  harness  as  well  as  they  might  that  was  broken  ; 
and  so  they  mounted  upon  their  horses,  and  rode  talking 
together.  And  there  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  told  Sir  Percivale 
how  he  had  sought  his  brother,  Sir  Launcelot,  long,  and 
never  could  hear  witting  of  him  :  In  many  strange  adven- 
tures have  I  been  in  this  quest.  And  so  either  told  other 
of  their  adventures. 


OF  THE  MADNESS  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT   295 

OF  THE  MADNESS  OF  SIR 
LAUNCELOT,  AND  HOW  HE 
WAS  HEALED  BY  THE  SAN- 
GREAL.  And  now  leave  we  off  a  while 
I  of  Sir  Ector  and  of  Sir  Percivale,  and 
speak  we  of  Sir  Launcelot  that  suffered 
and  endured  many  sharp  showers,  that  ever  ran  wild  wood 
from  place  to  place,  and  lived  by  fruit  and  such  as  he  might 
get,  and  drank  water  two  year ;  and  other  clothing  had  he 
but  litde  but  his  shirt  and  his  breech.  Thus  as  Sir  Launcelot 
wandered  here  and  there  he  came  in  a  fair  meadow  where  he 
found  a  pavilion  ;  and  there  by,  upon  a  tree,  there  hung 
a  white  shield,  and  two  swords  hung  thereby,  and  two 
spears  leaned  there  by  a  tree.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  the  swords,  anon  he  leapt  to  the  one  sword,  and  took 
it  in  his  hand,  and  drew  it  out.  And  then  he  lashed  at  the 
shield,  that  all  the  meadow  rang  of  the  dints,  that  he  gave 
such  a  noise  as  ten  knights  had  foughten  together. 

Then  came  forth  a  dwarf,  and  leapt  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  would  have  had  the  sword  out  of  his  hand.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  took  him  by  the  both  shoulders  and  threw 
him  to  the  ground  upon  his  neck,  that  he  had  almost  broken 
his  neck  ;  and  therewithal  the  dwarf  cried  help.  Then 
came  forth  a  likely  knight,  and  well  apparelled  in  scarlet 
furred  with  minever.  And  anon  as  he  saw  Sir  Launcelot 
he  deemed  that  he  should  be  out  of  his  wit.  And  then  he 
said  with  fair  speech  :  Good  man,  lay  down  that  sword,  for 
as  meseemeth  thou  hadst  more  need  of  sleep  and  of  warm 
clothes  than  to  wield  that  sword.  As  for  that,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  come  not  too  nigh,  for  an  thou  do,  wit  thou  well 
I  will  slay  thee. 

And  when  the  knight  of  the  pavilion  saw  that,  he  stert 


296   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

backward  within  the  pavilion.  And  then  the  dwarf  armed 
him  lightly  ;  and  so  the  knight  thought  by  force  and  might 
to  take  the  sword  from  Sir  Launcelot,  and  so  he  came  stepping 
out ;  and  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  him  come  so  all  armed 
with  his  sword  in  his  hand,  then  Sir  Launcelot  flew  to  him 
with  such  a  might,  and  hit  him  upon  the  helm  such  a  buffet, 
that  the  stroke  troubled  his  brains,  and  therewith  the  sword 
brake  in  three.  And  the  knight  fell  to  the  earth  as  he  had 
been  dead,  the  blood  brasting  out  of  his  mouth,  the  nose, 
and  the  ears.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  ran  into  the  pavilion, 
and  rushed  even  into  the  warm  bed  ;  and  there  was  a  lady 
in  that  bed,  and  she  gat  her  smock,  and  ran  out  of  the  pavilion. 
And  when  she  saw  her  lord  lie  at  the  ground  like  to  be  dead, 
then  she  cried  and  wept  as  she  had  been  mad.  Then  with 
her  noise  the  knight  awaked  out  of  his  swoon,  and  looked 
up  weakly  with  his  eyes  ;  and  then  he  asked  her,  where  was 
that  mad  man  that  had  given  him  such  a  buffet :  For  such 
a  buffet  had  I  never  of  man's  hand.  Sir,  said  the  dwarf, 
it  is  not  worship  to  hurt  him,  for  he  is  a  man  out  of  his  wit  ; 
and  doubt  ye  not  he  hath  been  a  man  of  great  worship,  and 
for  some  heartly  sorrow  that  he  hath  taken,  he  is  fallen 
mad  ;  and  me  beseemeth,  said  the  dwarf,  he  resembleth 
much  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  for  him  I  saw  at  the  great  tourna- 
ment beside  Lonazep.  Jesu  defend,  said  that  knight,  that 
ever  that  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  should  be  in  such  a 
plight  ;  but  whatsomever  he  be,  said  that  knight,  harm 
will  I  none  do  him.  And  this  knight's  name  was  Bliant. 
Then  he  said  unto  the  dwarf :  Go  thou  fast  on  horseback, 
unto  my  brother  Sir  Selivant,  that  is  at  the  Castle  Blank, 
and  tell  him  of  mine  adventure,  and  bid  him  bring  with  him 
an  horse  litter,  and  then  will  we  bear  this  knight  unto  my 
casde. 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  SIR  BLIANT   297 

So  the  dwarf  rode  fast,  and  he  came  again  and  brought 
Sir  Selivant  with  him,  and  six  men  with  an  horse  litter  ; 
and  so  they  took  up  the  feather  bed  with  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  so  carried  all  away  with  them  unto  the  Casde  Blank, 
and  he  never  awaked  till  he  was  within  the  casde.  And 
then  they  bound  his  hands  and  his  feet,  and  gave  him  good 
meats  and  good  drinks,  and  brought  him  again  to  his  strength 
and  his  fairness  ;  but  in  his  wit  they  could  not  bring  him 
again,  nor  to  know  himself.  Thus  was  Sir  Launcelot  there 
more  than  a  year  and  a  half,  honesdy  arrayed  and  fair  faren 
withal. 

Then  upon  a  day  this  lord  of  that  casde,  Sir  Bliant, 
took  his  arms,  on  horseback,  with  a  spear,  to  seek  adven- 
tures. And  as  he  rode  in  a  forest  there  met  with  him  two 
knights  adventurous,  the  one  was  Breuse  Saunce  Pit£,  and 
his  brother,  Sir  Bertelot  ;  and  these  two  ran  both  at  once 
upon  Sir  Bliant,  and  brake  their  spears  upon  his  body.  And 
then  they  drew  out  swords  and  made  great  batde,  and 
fought  long  together.  But  at  the  last  Sir  Bliant  was  sore 
wounded,  and  felt  himself  faint  ;  and  then  he  fled  on  horse- 
back toward  his  casde.  And  as  they  came  hurling  under 
the  casde  whereas  Sir  Launcelot  lay  in  a  window,  he  saw 
how  two  knights  laid  upon  Sir  Bhant  with  their  swords. 
And  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  that,  yet  as  wood  as  he  was 
he  was  sorry  for  his  lord,  Sir  Bliant.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot 
brake  the  chains  from  his  legs  and  off  his  arms,  and  in  the 
breaking  he  hurt  his  hands  sore  ;  and  so  Sir  Launcelot 
ran  out  at  a  postern,  and  there  he  met  with  the  two  knights 
that  chased  Sir  Bliant  ;  and  there  he  pulled  down  Sir  Bertelot 
with  his  bare  hands  from  his  horse,  and  therewithal  he  wrothe 
his  sword  out  of  his  hand  ;  and  so  he  leapt  unto  Sir  Breuse, 
and  gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  head  that  he  tumbled 


298   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

backward  over  his  horse's  croup.  And  when  Sir  Bertelot 
saw  there  his  brother  have  such  a  fall,  he  gat  a  spear  in  his 
hand,  and  would  have  run  Sir  Launcelot  through  :  that 
saw  Sir  Bliant,  and  struck  off  the  hand  of  Sir  Bertelot. 
And  then  Sir  Breuse  and  Sir  Bertelot  gat  their  horses  and 
fled  away. 

When  Sir  Selivant  came  and  saw  what  Sir  Launcelot 
had  done  for  his  brother,  then  he  thanked  God,  and  so 
did  his  brother,  that  ever  they  did  him  any  good.  But 
when  Sir  Bliant  saw  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  hurt  with  the 
breaking  of  his  irons,  then  was  he  heavy  that  ever  he  bound 
him.  Bind  him  no  more,  said  Sir  Selivant,  for  he  is  happy 
and  gracious.  Then  they  made  great  joy  of  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  they  bound  him  no  more  ;  and  so  he  abode  there  an 
half  year  and  more.  And  on  the  morn  early  Sir  Launcelot 
was  ware  where  came  a  great  boar  with  many  hounds  nigh 
him.  But  the  boar  was  so  big  there  might  no  hounds  tear 
him  ;  and  the  hunters  came  after,  blowing  their  horns, 
both  upon  horseback  and  some  upon  foot ;  and  then  Sir 
Launcelot  was  ware  where  one  alighted  and  tied  his  horse 
to  a  tree,  and  leaned  his  spear  against  the  tree. 

So  came  Sir  Launcelot  and  found  the  horse  bounden  till 
a  tree,  and  a  spear  leaning  against  a  tree,  and  a  sword  tied 
to  the  saddle  bow  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  leapt  into  the 
saddle  and  gat  that  spear  in  his  hand,  and  then  he  rode 
after  the  boar  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  was  ware  where 
the  boar  set  his  back  to  a  tree  fast  by  an  hermitage.  Then 
Sir  Launcelot  ran  at  the  boar  with  his  spear,  and  therewith 
the  boar  turned  him  nimbly,  and  rove  out  the  lungs  and 
the  heart  of  the  horse,  so  that  Launcelot  fell  to  the  earth  ; 
and,  or  ever  Sir  Launcelot  might  get  from  the  horse,  the 
boar  rove  him  on  the  brawn  of  the  thigh  up  to  the  hough 


OF  THE  MADNESS  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT    299 

bone.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  was  wroth,  and  up  he  gat 
upon  his  feet,  and  drew  his  sword,  and  he  smote  off  the 
boar's  head  at  one  stroke.  And  therewithal  came  out  the 
hermit,  and  saw  him  have  such  a  wound.  Then  the  hermit 
came  to  Sir  Launcelot  and  bemoaned  him,  and  would  have 
had  him  home  unto  his  hermitage  ;  but  when  Sir  Launcelot 
heard  him  speak,  he  was  so  wroth  with  his  wound  that  he 
ran  upon  the  hermit  to  have  slain  him,  and  the  hermit  ran 
away.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  might  not  overget  him, 
he  threw  his  sword  after  him,  for  Sir  Launcelot  might  go 
no  further  for  bleeding  ;  then  the  hermit  turned  again, 
and  asked  Sir  Launcelot  how  he  was  hurt.  Fellow,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  this  boar  hath  bitten  me  sore.  Then  come 
with  me,  said  the  hermit,  and  I  shall  heal  you.  Go  thy 
way,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  and  deal  not  with  me. 

Then  the  hermit  ran  his  way,  and  there  he  met  with  a 
good  knight  with  many  men.  Sir,  said  the  hermit,  here 
is  fast  by  my  place  the  goodliest  man  that  ever  I  saw,  and 
he  is  sore  wounded  with  a  boar,  and  yet  he  hath  slain  the 
boar.  But  well  I  wot,  said  the  hermit,  and  he  be  not  holpen, 
that  goodly  man  shall  die  of  that  wound,  and  that  were 
great  pity.  Then  that  knight  at  the  desire  of  the  hermit 
gat  a  cart,  and  in  that  cart  that  knight  put  the  boar  and 
Sir  Launcelot,  for  Sir  Launcelot  was  so  feeble  that  they 
might  right  easily  deal  with  him  ;  and  so  Sir  Launcelot  was 
brought  unto  the  hermitage,  and  there  the  hermit  healed 
him  of  his  wound.  But  the  hermit  might  not  find  Sir 
Launcelot's  sustenance,  and  so  he  impaired  and  waxed  feeble, 
both  of  his  body  and  of  his  wit :  for  the  default  of  his  sus- 
tenance he  waxed  more  wooder  than  he  was  aforehand. 

And  then  upon  a  day  Sir  Launcelot  ran  his  way  into 
the  forest  ;  and  by  adventure  he  came  to  the  city  of  Corbin, 


3oo   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

where  Dame  Elaine  was,  that  bare  Galahad,  Sir  Launcelot's 
son.  And  so  when  he  was  entered  into  the  town  he  ran 
through  the  town  to  the  castle  ;  and  then  all  the  young 
men  of  that  city  ran  after  Sir  Launcelot,  and  there  they 
threw  turves  at  him,  and  gave  him  many  sad  strokes.  And 
ever  as  Sir  Launcelot  might  overreach  any  of  them,  he  threw 
them  so  that  they  would  never  come  in  his  hands  no  more  ; 
for  of  some  he  brake  the  legs  and  the  arms,  and  so  fled  into 
the  castle  ;  and  then  came  out  knights  and  squires  and 
rescued  Sir  Launcelot.  And  when  they  beheld  him  and 
looked  upon  his  person,  they  thought  they  saw  never  so 
goodly  a  man.  And  when  they  saw  so  many  wounds  upon 
him,  all  they  deemed  that  he  had  been  a  man  of  worship. 
And  then  they  ordained  him  clothes  to  his  body,  and  straw 
underneath  him,  and  a  little  house.  And  then  every  day 
they  would  throw  him  meat,  and  set  him  drink,  but  there 
was  but  few  would  bring  him  meat  to  his  hands. 

So  it  befell  that  King  Pelles  had  a  nephew,  his  name  was 
Castor  ;  and  so  he  desired  of  the  king  to  be  made  knight, 
and  so  at  the  request  of  this  Castor  the  king  made  him 
knight  at  the  feast  of  Candlemas.  And  when  Sir  Castor 
was  made  knight,  that  same  day  he  gave  many  gowns. 
And  then  Sir  Castor  sent  for  the  fool — that  was  Sir  Launcelot. 
And  when  he  was  come  afore  Sir  Castor,  he  gave  Sir  Launce- 
lot a  robe  of  scarlet  and  all  that  longed  unto  him.  And 
when  Sir  Launcelot  was  so  arrayed  like  a  knight,  he  was 
the  seemliest  man  in  all  the  court,  and  none  so  well  made. 
So  when  he  saw  his  time  he  went  into  the  garden,  and  there 
Sir  Launcelot  laid  him  down  by  a  well  and  slept.  And  so 
at  afternoon  Dame  Elaine  and  her  maidens  came  into  the 
garden  to  play  them  ;  and  as  they  roamed  up  and  down 
one  of  Dame  Elaine's  maidens  espied  where  lay  a  goodly 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE    301 

man  by  the  well  sleeping,  and  then  she  brought  Dame 
Elaine  where  he  lay.  And  when  that  she  beheld  him,  anon 
she  fell  in  remembrance  of  him,  and  knew  him  verily  for 
Sir  Launcelot ;  and  therewithal  she  fell  a-weeping  so  heartily 
that  she  sank  even  to  the  earth  ;  and  when  she  had  thus 
wept  a  great  while,  then  she  arose  and  called  her  maidens 
and  said  she  was  sick. 

And  so  she  yede  out  of  the  garden,  and  she  went  straight 
to  her  father,  and  there  she  took  him  apart  by  herself  ;  and 
then  she  said  :  O  father,  now  have  I  need  of  your  help,  and 
but  if  that  ye  help  me  farewell  my  good  days  for  ever.  What 
is  that,  daughter  ?  said  King  Pelles.  Sir,  she  said,  thus  is 
it :  in  your  garden  I  went  for  to  sport,  and  there,  by  the 
well,  I  found  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  sleeping.  I  may  not 
believe  that,  said  King  Pelles.  Sir,  she  said,  truly  he  is 
there,  and  meseemeth  he  should  be  distract  out  of  his  wit. 
Then  hold  you  still,  said  the  king,  and  let  me  deal.  Then 
the  king  called  to  him  such  as  he  most  trusted,  a  four  persons, 
and  Dame  Elaine,  his  daughter.  And  when  they  came 
to  the  well  and  beheld  Sir  Launcelot,  anon  Dame  Brisen 
knew  him.  Sir,  said  Dame  Brisen,  we  must  be  wise  how 
we  deal  with  him,  for  this  knight  is  out  of  his  mind,  and  if 
we  awake  him  rudely  what  he  will  do  we  all  know  not  ;  but 
ye  shall  abide,  and  I  shall  throw  such  an  enchantment  upon 
him  that  he  shall  not  awake  within  the  space  of  an  hour  ; 
and  so  she  did. 

Then  within  a  litde  while  after,  the  king  commanded 
that  all  people  should  avoid,  that  none  should  be  in  that 
way  there  as  the  king  would  come.  And  so  when  this  was 
done,  these  four  men  and  these  ladies  laid  hand  on  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  so  they  bare  him  into  a  tower,  and  so  into 
a  chamber  where  was  the  holy  vessel  of  the  Sangreal,  and 


3o2   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

by  force  Sir  Launcelot  was  laid  by  that  holy  vessel  ;  and 
there  came  an  holy  man  and  unbilled  that  vessel,  and  so 
by  miracle  and  by  virtue  of  that  holy  vessel  Sir  Launcelot 
was  healed  and  recovered.  And  when  that  he  was  awaked 
he  groaned  and  sighed,  and  complained  greatly  that  he 
was  passing  sore. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT,  AFTER  THAT 
HE  WAS  WHOLE  AND  HAD  HIS  MIND, 
HE  WAS  ASHAMED,  AND  HOW  HE 
CAME  TO  THE  JOYOUS  ISLE.  And 
when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  King  Pelles  and 
Elaine,  he  waxed  ashamed  and  said  thus :  O 
Lord  Jesu,  how  came  I  here  ?  for  God's  sake,  my  lord,  let  me 
wit  how  I  came  here.  Sir,  said  Dame  Elaine,  into  this  country 
ye  came  like  a  madman,  clean  out  of  your  wit,  and  here  have 
ye  been  kept  as  a  fool ;  and  no  creature  here  knew  what  ye 
were,  until  by  fortune  a  maiden  of  mine  brought  me  unto 
you  whereas  ye  lay  sleeping  by  a  well,  and  anon  as  I  verily 
beheld  you  I  knew  you.  And  then  I  told  my  father,  and 
so  were  ye  brought  afore  this  holy  vessel,  and  by  the  virtue 
of  it  thus  were  ye  healed.  O  Jesu,  mercy,  said  Sir  Launcelot ; 
if  this  be  sooth,  how  many  there  be  that  know  of  my  wood- 
ness  !  So  God  me  help,  said  Elaine,  no  more  but  my  father, 
and  I,  and  Dame  Brisen.  Now  for  Christ's  love,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  keep  it  in  counsel,  and  let  no  man  know  it  in 
the  world,  for  I  am  sore  ashamed  that  I  have  been  thus 
miscarried  ;  for  I  am  banished  out  of  the  country  of  Logris 
for  ever,  that  is  for  to  say  the  country  of  England. 

And  so  Sir  Launcelot  lay  more  than  a  fortnight  or  ever 
that  he  might  stir  for  soreness.  And  then  upon  a  day  he 
said  unto  Dame  Elaine  these  words  :   Lady  Elaine,  for  your 


LAUNCELOT  COMES  TO  JOYOUS  ISLE   303 

sake  I  have  had  much  travail,  care,  and  anguish ;  it  needeth 
not  to  rehearse  it,  ye  know  how.  Notwithstanding  I  know 
well  I  have  done  foul  to  you  when  that  I  drew  my  sword 
to  you,  to  have  slain  you.  And  all  was  the  cause,  that  ye 
and  Dame  Brisen  deceived  me.  Now  will  ye  for  my  love, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  go  unto  your  father  and  get  me  a  place  of 
him  wherein  I  may  dwell  ?  for  in  the  court  of  King  Arthur 
may  I  never  come.  Sir,  said  Dame  Elaine,  I  will  live  and 
die  with  you,  and  only  for  your  sake  ;  and  if  my  life  might 
not  avail  you  and  my  death  might  avail  you,  wit  you  well  I 
would  die  for  your  sake.  And  I  will  go  to  my  father,  and 
I  am  sure  there  is  nothing  that  I  can  desire  of  him  but  I 
shall  have  it.  And  where  ye  be,  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot, 
doubt  ye  not  but  I  will  be  with  you  with  all  the  service  that 
I  may  do.  So  forthwithal  she  went  to  her  father  and  said, 
Sir,  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  desireth  to  be  here  by  you  in 
some  casde  of  yours.  Well  daughter,  said  the  king,  sith  it  is 
his  desire  to  abide  in  these  marches  he  shall  be  in  the  Casde 
of  Bliant,  and  there  shall  ye  be  with  him,  and  twenty  of  the 
fairest  ladies  that  be  in  the  country,  and  they  shall  all  be 
of  the  great  blood,  and  ye  shall  have  ten  knights  with  you  ; 
for,  daughter,  I  will  that  ye  wit  we  all  be  honoured  by  the 
blood  of  Sir  Launcelot. 

Then  went  Dame  Elaine  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  told 
him  all  how  her  father  had  devised  for  him  and  her.  And 
then,  after  this,  King  Pelles  with  ten  knights,  and  Dame 
Elaine,  and  twenty  ladies,  rode  unto  the  Casde  of  Bliant 
that  stood  in  an  island  beclosed  in  iron,  with  a  fair  water 
deep  and  large.  And  when  they  were  there  Sir  Launcelot 
let  call  it  the  Joyous  Isle  ;  and  there  was  he  called  none 
otherwise  but  Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet,  the  knight  that  hath 
trespassed.     Then  Sir  Launcelot  let  make  him  a  shield  all 


OF  SIR  PERCIVALE  AND  SIR  ECTOR    305 

water,  and  bridge  could  they  find  none.  Then  they  saw 
on  the  other  side  a  lady  with  a  sperhawk  on  her  hand,  and 
Sir  Percivale  called  unto  her,  and  asked  that  lady  who  was 
in  that  casde.  Fair  knights,  she  said,  here  within  this 
castle  is  the  fairest  lady  in  this  land,  and  her  name  is  Elaine. 
Also  we  have  in  this  casde  the  fairest  knight  and  the  mightiest 
man  that  is  I  dare  say  living,  and  he  calleth  himself  Le 
Chevaler  Mai  Fet.  How  came  he  into  these  marches  ? 
said  Sir  Percivale.  Truly,  said  the  damosel,  he  came  into 
this  country  like  a  mad  man,  with  dogs  and  boys  chasing 
him  through  the  city  of  Corbin,  and  by  the  holy  vessel  of 
the  Sangreal  he  was  brought  into  his  wit  again  ;  but  he 
will  not  do  batde  with  no  knight,  but  by  underne  or  by 
noon.  And  if  ye  list  to  come  into  the  casde,  said  the  lady, 
ye  must  ride  unto  the  further  side  of  the  casde  and  there 
shall  ye  find  a  vessel  that  will  bear  you  and  your  horse.  Then 
they  departed,  and  came  unto  the  vessel.  And  then  Sir 
Percivale  alighted,  and  said  to  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  :  Ye  shall 
abide  me  here  until  that  I  wit  what  manner  a  knight  he 
is  ;  for  it  were  shame  unto  us,  inasmuch  as  he  is  but  one 
knight,  an  we  should  both  do  batde  with  him.  Do  ye  as 
ye  list,  said  Sir  Ector,  and  here  I  shall  abide  you  until  that 
I  hear  of  you. 

Then  passed  Sir  Percivale  the  water,  and  when  he  came 
to  the  casde  gate  he  bade  the  porter  :  Go  thou  to  the  good 
knight  within  the  casde,  and  tell  him  here  is  come  an  errant 
knight  to  joust  with  him.  Sir,  said  the  porter,  ride  ye 
within  the  casde,  and  there  is  a  common  place  for  jousting, 
that  lords  and  ladies  may  behold  you.  So  anon  as  Sir 
Launcelot  had  warning  he  was  soon  ready  ;  and  there  Sir 
Percivale  and  Sir  Launcelot  encountered  with  such  a  might, 
and  their  spears  were  so  rude,  that  both  the  horses  and  the 


306   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

knights  fell  to  the  earth.  Then  they  avoided  their  horses, 
and  flang  out  noble  swords,  and  hewed  away  cantels  of  their 
shields,  and  hurtled  together  with  their  shields  like  two 
boars,  and  either  wounded  other  passing  sore.  At  the 
last  Sir  Percivale  spake  first  when  they  had  foughten  there 
more  than  two  hours.  Fair  knight,  said  Sir  Percivale,  I 
require  thee  tell  me  thy  name,  for  I  met  never  with  such 
a  knight.  Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  my  name  is  Le  Chevaler 
Mai  Fet.  Now  tell  me  your  name,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I 
require  you,  gentle  knight.  Truly,  said  Sir  Percivale,  my 
name  is  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis,  that  was  brother  unto  the 
good  knight,  Sir  Lamorak  de  Galis,  and  King  Pellinore 
was  our  father,  and  Sir  Aglovale  is  my  brother.  Alas,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  what  have  I  done  to  fight  with  you  that  art 
a  knight  of  the  Round  Table,  that  sometime  was  your 
fellow  ? 

And  therewithal  Sir  Launcelot  kneeled  down  upon  his 
knees,  and  threw  away  his  shield  and  his  sword  from  him. 
When  Sir  Percivale  saw  him  do  so  he  marvelled  what  he 
meant.  And  then  thus  he  said  :  Sir  knight,  whatsomever 
thou  be,  I  require  thee  upon  the  high  order  of  knighthood, 
tell  me  thy  true  name.  Then  he  said  :  So  God  me  help, 
my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  King  Ban's  son  of  Benoy. 
Alas,  said  Sir  Percivale,  what  have  I  done  ?  I  was  sent  by 
the  queen  for  to  seek  you,  and  so  I  have  sought  you  nigh 
this  two  year,  and  yonder  is  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  your  brother, 
abideth  me  on  the  other  side  of  the  yonder  water.  Now, 
I  pray  you,  said  Sir  Percivale,  forgive  me  mine  offence  that 
I  have  here  done.     It  is  soon  forgiven,  said  Sir  Launcelot. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  sent  for  Sir  Ector  de  Maris ;  and 
when  Sir  Launcelot  had  a  sight  of  him,  he  ran  unto  him  and 
took  him  in  his  arms  ;    and  then  Sir  Ector  kneeled  down, 


SIR  LAUNCELOT  RETURNS  TO  COURT    307 

and  either  wept  upon  other,  that  all  had  pity  to  behold 
them.  Then  came  Dame  Elaine,  and  she  there  made  them 
great  cheer  as  might  lie  in  her  power. 

Then  it  befell  upon  a  day  Sir  Ector  and  Sir  Percivale  came 
to  Sir  Launcelot  and  asked  him  what  he  would  do,  and 
whether  he  would  go  with  them  unto  King  Arthur  or  not. 
Nay,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  may  not  be  by  no  mean,  for 
I  was  so  entreated  at  the  court  that  I  cast  me  never  to  come 
there  more.  Sir,  said  Sir  Ector,  I  am  your  brother,  and  ye 
are  the  man  in  the  world  that  I  love  most  ;  and  if  I  under- 
stood that  it  were  your  disworship,  ye  may  understand  I 
would  never  counsel  you  thereto  ;  but  King  Arthur  and  all 
his  knights,  and  in  especial  Queen  Guenever,  made  such 
dole  and  sorrow  that  it  was  marvel  to  hear  and  see.  And 
ye  must  remember  the  great  worship  and  renown  that  ye 
be  of,  how  that  ye  have  been  more  spoken  of  than  any  other 
knight  that  is  now  living  ;  for  there  is  none  that  beareth 
the  name  now  but  ye  and  Sir  Tristram.  Therefore  brother, 
said  Sir  Ector,  make  you  ready  to  ride  to  the  court  with  us, 
and  I  dare  say  there  was  never  knight  better  welcome  to  the 
court  than  ye  ;  and  I  wot  well  and  can  make  it  good,  said 
Sir  Ector,  it  hath  cost  my  lady,  the  queen,  twenty  thousand 
pound  the  seeking  of  you.  Well  brother,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  will  do  after  your  counsel,  and  ride  with  you. 

So  then  they  took  their  horses  and  made  them  ready, 
and  took  their  leave  at  King  Pelles  and  at  Dame  Elaine. 
And  when  Sir  Launcelot  should  depart  Dame  Elaine  made 
great  sorrow.  My  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  Dame  Elaine, 
at  this  same  feast  of  Pentecost  shall  your  son  and  mine, 
Galahad,  be  made  knight,  for  he  is  fully  now  fifteen  winter 
old.  Do  as  ye  list,  said  Sir  Launcelot ;  God  give  him  grace 
to  prove  a  good  knight.     As  for  that,  said  Dame  Elaine, 


3o8   OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  DAME  ELAINE 

I  doubt  not  he  shall  prove  the  best  man  of  his  kin  except 
one.  Then  shall  he  be  a  man  good  enough,  said  Sir 
Launcelot. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WITH  SIR  PERCI- 
VALE  AND  SIR  ECTOR  CAME  TO  THE 
COURT,  AND  OF  THE  GREAT  JOY  OF  HIM. 

Then  they  departed,  and  within  five  days'  journey  they 
came  to  Camelot,  that  is  called  in  English,  Winchester. 
And  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  come  among  them,  the  king 
and  all  the  knights  made  great  joy  of  him.  And  there 
Sir  Percivale  de  Galis  and  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  began  and 
told  the  whole  adventures  :  that  Sir  Launcelot  had  been 
out  of  his  mind  the  time  of  his  absence,  and  how  he  called 
himself  Le  Chevaler  Mai  Fet,  the  knight  that  had  trespassed  ; 
and  in  three  days  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down  five  hundred 
knights.  And  ever  as  Sir  Ector  and  Sir  Percivale  told 
these  tales  of  Sir  Launcelot,  Queen  Guenever  wept  as  she 
should  have  died.  Then  the  queen  made  great  cheer.  I 
marvel,  said  King  Arthur,  for  what  cause  ye,  Sir  Launcelot, 
went  out  of  your  mind.  I  and  many  others  deem  it  was 
for  the  love  of  fair  Elaine,  the  daughter  of  King  Pelles, 
by  whom  ye  are  noised  that  ye  have  a  child,  and  his 
name  is  Galahad,  and  men  say  he  shall  do  marvels.  My 
lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  if  I  did  any  folly  I  have  that  I 
sought.  And  therewithal  the  king  spake  no  more.  But 
all  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  knew  for  whom  he  went  out  of  his 
mind.  And  then  there  were  great  feasts  made  and  great 
joy  ;  and  many  great  lords  and  ladies,  when  they  heard 
that  Sir  Launcelot  was  come  to  the  court  again,  they  made 
great  joy. 


OF  SIR  GALAHAD  AND  THE  QUEST  OF 
THE  HOLY  GRAIL 


HOW  AT  THE  VIGIL  OF  THE  FEAST  OF 
PENTECOST  A  DAMOSEL  DESIRED  SIR 
LAUNCELOT  FOR  TO  COME  AND  DUB  A 
KNIGHT,  AND  OF  THE  MARVELLOUS  ADVEN- 
TURE OF  THE  SWORD  IN  A  STONE.  At  the 
vigil  of  Pentecost,  when  all  the  fellowship  of  the  Round 
Table  were  come  unto  Camelot  and  there  heard  their 
service,  and  the  tables  were  set  ready  to  the  meat,  right  so 
entered  into  the  hall  a  full  fair  gentlewoman  on  horseback, 
that  had  ridden  full  fast,  for  her  horse  was  all  besweated. 
Then  she  there  alighted,  and  came  before  the  king  and 
saluted  him  ;  and  he  said  :  Damosel,  God  thee  bless.  Sir, 
said  she,  I  pray  you  say  me  where  Sir  Launcelot  is. 
Yonder  ye  may  see  him,  said  the  king.      Then  she  went 

3°9  Y 


3io  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

unto  Launcelot  and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  I  salute  you  on 
King  Pelles'  behalf,  and  I  require  you  come  on  with  me 
hereby  into  a  forest.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  asked  her  with 
whom  she  dwelled.  I  dwell,  said  she,  with  King  Pelles. 
What  will  ye  with  me  ?  said  Launcelot.  Ye  shall  know, 
said  she,  when  ye  come  thither.  Well,  said  he,  I  will  gladly 
go  with  you.  So  Sir  Launcelot  bade  his  squire  saddle  his 
horse  and  bring  his  arms  ;  and  in  all  haste  he  did  his  com- 
mandment. 

Then  came  the  queen  unto  Launcelot,  and  said  :  Will 
ye  leave  us  at  this  high  feast  ?  Madam,  said  the  gentle- 
woman,  wit  ye  well  he  shall  be  with  you  to-morn  by  dinner 
time.  If  I  wist,  said  the  queen,  that  he  should  not  be  with 
us  here  to-morn  he  should  not  go  with  you  by  my  good 
will.  Right  so  departed  Sir  Launcelot  with  the  gentle- 
woman,  and  rode  until  that  he  came  into  a  forest  and  into 
a  great  valley,  where  they  saw  an  abbey  of  nuns  ;  and  there 
was  a  squire  ready  and  opened  the  gates,  and  so  they  entered 
and  descended  off  their  horses ;  and  there  came  a  fair 
fellowship  about  Sir  Launcelot,  and  welcomed  him,  and 
were  passing  glad  of  his  coming.  And  then  they  led  him 
unto  the  Abbess's  chamber  and  unarmed  him  ;  and  right 
so  he  was  ware  upon  a  bed  lying  two  of  his  cousins,  Sir  Bors 
and  Sir  Lionel,  and  then  he  waked  them  ;  and  when  they 
saw  him  they  made  great  joy.  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors  unto  Sir 
Launcelot,  what  adventure  hath  brought  you  hither,  for 
we  weened  to-morn  to  have  found  you  at  Camelot  ?  Truly, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  a  gentlewoman  brought  me  hither,  but 
I  know  not  the  cause. 

In  the  meanwhile  that  they  thus  stood  talking  together, 
therein  came  twelve  nuns  that  brought  with  them  Galahad, 
the  which  was  passing  fair  and  well  made,  that  unnethe  in 


OF  LETTERS  IN  THE  SIEGE  PERILOUS   311 

the  world  men  might  not  find  his  match  :  and  all  those 
ladies  wept.  Sir,  said  they  all,  we  bring  you  here  this 
child  the  which  we  have  nourished,  and  we  pray  you  to 
make  him  a  knight,  for  of  a  more  worthier  man's  hand 
may  he  not  receive  the  order  of  knighthood.  Sir  Launce- 
lot  beheld  the  young  squire  and  saw  him  seemly  and  demure 
as  a  dove,  with  all  manner  of  good  features,  that  he  weened 
of  his  age  never  to  have  seen  so  fair  a  man  of  form.  Then 
said  Sir  Launcelot :  Cometh  this  desire  of  himself  ?  He  and 
all  they  said  Yea.  Then  shall  he,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  receive 
the  high  order  of  knighthood  as  to-morn  at  the  reverence 
of  the  high  feast.  That  night  Sir  Launcelot  had  passing 
good  cheer  ;  and  on  the  morn  at  the  hour  of  prime,  at  Gala- 
had's desire,  he  made  him  knight  and  said  :  God  make  him 
a  good  man,  for  of  beauty  faileth  you  not  as  any  that  liveth. 
Now  fair  sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  will  ye  come  with  me 
unto  the  court  of  King  Arthur  ?  Nay,  said  he,  I  will  not 
go  with  you  as  at  this  time.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  departed 
from  them  and  took  his  two  cousins  with  him,  and  so  they 
came  unto  Camelot  by  the  hour  of  underne  on  Whitsunday. 
By  that  time  the  king  and  the  queen  were  gone  to  the  minster 
to  hear  their  service.  Then  the  king  and  the  queen  were 
passing  glad  of  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Lionel,  and  so  was  all  the 
fellowship.  So  when  the  king  and  all  the  knights  were 
come  from  service,  the  barons  espied  in  the  sieges  of  the 
Round  Table  all  about,  written  with  golden  letters :  Here 
ought  to  sit  he,  and  he  ought  to  sit  here.  And  thus  they 
went  so  long  till  that  they  came  to  the  Siege  Perilous,  where 
they  found  letters  newly  written  of  gold  which  said  :  Four 
hundred  winters  and  four  and  fifty  accomplished  after  the 
passion  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ  ought  this  siege  to  be  fulfilled. 
Then  all  they  said  :  This  is  a  marvellous  thing  and  an  adven- 


312  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

turous.  In  the  name  of  God,  said  Sir  Launcelot ;  and 
then  he  accompted  the  term  of  the  writing  from  the  birth  of 
our  Lord  unto  that  day.  It  seemeth  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
this  siege  ought  to  be  fulfilled  this  same  day,  for  this  is  the 
feast  of  Pentecost  after  the  four  hundred  and  four  and  fifty 
year  ;  and  if  it  would  please  all  parties,  I  would  none  of 
these  letters  were  seen  this  day,  till  he  be  come  that  ought 
to  enchieve  this  adventure.  Then  made  they  to  ordain 
a  cloth  of  silk,  for  to  cover  these  letters  in  the  Siege  Perilous. 

Then  the  king  bade  haste  unto  dinner.  Sir,  said  Sir 
Kay  the  Steward,  if  ye  go  now  unto  your  meat  ye  shall 
break  your  old  custom  of  your  court,  for  ye  have  not  used 
on  this  day  to  sit  at  your  meat  or  that  ye  have  seen  some 
adventure.  Ye  say  sooth,  said  the  king,  but  I  had  so  great 
joy  of  Sir  Launcelot  and  of  his  cousins,  which  be  come  to 
the  court  whole  and  sound,  so  that  I  bethought  me  not 
of  mine  old  custom.  So,  as  they  stood  speaking,  in  came 
a  squire  and  said  unto  the  king  :  Sir,  I  bring  unto  you 
marvellous  tidings.  What  be  they  ?  said  the  king.  Sir, 
there  is  here  beneath  at  the  river  a  great  stone  which  I  saw 
fleet  above  the  water,  and  therein  I  saw  sticking  a  sword. 
The  king  said  :  I  will  see  that  marvel.  So  all  the  knights 
went  with  him,  and  when  they  came  to  the  river  they  found 
there  a  stone  fleeting,  as  it  were  of  red  marble,  and  therein 
stuck  a  fair  rich  sword,  and  in  the  pommel  thereof  were 
precious  stones  wrought  with  subtle  letters  of  gold.  Then 
the  barons  read  the  letters  which  said  in  this  wise  :  Never 
shall  man  take  me  hence,  but  only  he  by  whose  side  I  ought 
to  hang,  and  he  shall  be  the  best  knight  of  the  world. 

When  the  king  had  seen  the  letters,  he  said  unto  Sir 
Launcelot :  Fair  Sir,  this  sword  ought  to  be  yours,  for  I 
am  sure  ye  be  the  best  knight  of  the  world.     Then    Sir 


OF  SIR  GAWAINE  AND  THE  SWORD     313 

Launcelot  answered  full  soberly  :  Certes,  sir,  it  is  not  my 
sword  ;  also,  Sir,  wit  ye  well  I  have  no  hardiness  to  set 
my  hand  to  it,  for  it  longeth  not  to  hang  by  my  side.  Also, 
who  that  assayeth  to  take  the  sword  and  faileth  of  it,  he 
shall  receive  a  wound  by  that  sword  that  he  shall  not  be 
whole  long  after.  And  I  will  that  ye  wit  that  this  same 
day  shall  the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal,  that  is  called  the 
Holy  Vessel,  begin. 

HOW  SIR  GAWAINE  ASSAYED  TO  DRAW 
OUT  THE  SWORD,  AND  HOW  AN  OLD  MAN 
BROUGHT  IN  GALAHAD,  AND  SET  HIM 
IN  THE  SIEGE  PERILOUS,  AND  HOW  HE  DREW 
OUT  THE  SWORD.  Now,  fair  nephew,  said  the  king  unto 
Sir  Gawaine,  assay  ye,  for  my  love.  Sir,  he  said,  save  your 
good  grace  I  shall  not  do  that.  Sir,  said  the  king,  assay  to 
take  the  sword  and  at  my  commandment.  Sir,  said  Gawaine, 
your  commandment  I  will  obey.  And  therewith  he  took  up 
the  sword  by  the  handles,  but  he  might  not  stir  it.  I  thank 
you,  said  the  king  to  Sir  Gawaine.  My  lord  Sir  Gawaine, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  now  wit  ye  well  this  sword  shall  touch  you 
so  sore  that  ye  shall  will  ye  had  never  set  your  hand  thereto 
for  the  best  casde  of  this  realm.  Sir,  he  said,  I  might  not 
withsay  mine  uncle's  will  and  commandment.  But  when 
the  king  heard  this  he  repented  it  much,  and  said  unto  Sir 
Percivale  that  he  should  assay,  for  his  love.  And  he  said  : 
Gladly,  for  to  bear  Sir  Gawaine  fellowship.  And  therewith 
he  set  his  hand  on  the  sword  and  drew  it  strongly,  but  he 
might  not  move  it.  Then  were  there  no  mo  that  durst  be 
so  hardy  to  set  their  hands  thereto.  Now  may  ye  go  to 
your  dinner,  said  Sir  Kay  unto  the  king,  for  a  marvellous 
adventure  have  ye  seen.     So  the  king  and  all  went  unto 


314  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

the  court,  and  every  knight  knew  his  own  place,  and  set 
him  therein,  and  young  men  that  were  knights  served  them. 

So  when  they  were  served,  and  all  sieges  fulfilled  save 
only  the  Siege  Perilous,  anon  there  befell  a  marvellous 
adventure,  that  all  the  doors  and  windows  of  the  palace 
shut  by  themself.  Not  for  then  the  hall  was  not  greatly 
darked  ;  and  therewith  they  were  all  abashed  both  one 
and  other.  Then  King  Arthur  spake  first  and  said  :  Fair 
fellows  and  lords,  we  have  seen  this  day  marvels,  but  ere 
night  I  suppose  we  shall  see  greater  marvels. 

In  the  meanwhile  came  in  a  good  old  man,  and  an  ancient, 
clothed  all  in  white,  and  there  was  no  knight  knew  from 
whence  he  came.  And  with  him  he  brought  a  young 
knight,  both  on  foot,  in  red  arms,  without  sword  or  shield, 
save  a  scabbard  hanging  by  his  side.  And  these  words  he 
said  :  Peace  be  with  you,  fair  lords.  Then  the  old  man 
said  unto  Arthur  :  Sir,  I  bring  here  a  young  knight,  the 
which  is  of  king's  lineage,  and  of  the  kindred  of  Joseph  of 
Aramathie,  whereby  the  marvels  of  this  court,  and  of  strange 
realms,  shall  be  fully  accomplished. 

The  king  was  right  glad  of  his  words,  and  said  unto  the 
good  man  :  Sir,  ye  be  right  welcome,  and  the  young  knight 
with  you.  Then  the  old  man  made  the  young  man  to 
unarm  him,  and  he  was  in  a  coat  of  red  sendal,  and  bare 
a  mantle  upon  his  shoulder  that  was  furred  with  ermine, 
and  put  that  upon  him.  And  the  old  knight  said  unto  the 
young  knight :  Sir,  follow  me.  And  anon  he  led  him  unto 
the  Siege  Perilous,  where  beside  sat  Sir  Launcelot ;  and 
the  good  man  lift  up  the  cloth,  and  found  there  letters  that 
said  thus  :  This  is  the  siege  of  Galahad,  the  haut  prince. 
Sir,  said  the  old  knight,  wit  ye  well  that  place  is  yours.  And 
then  he  set  him  down  surely  in  that  siege.     And  then  he 


OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  SIR  GALAHAD   315 

said  to  the  old  man  :  Sir,  ye  may  now  go  your  way,  for 
well  have  ye  done  that  ye  were  commanded  to  do  ;  and 
recommend  me  unto  my  grandsire,  King  Pelles,  and  unto 
my  lord  Petchere,  and  say  them  on  my  behalf,  I  shall  come 
and  see  them  as  soon  as  ever  I  may.  So  the  good  man 
departed  ;  and  there  met  him  twenty  noble  squires,  and 
so  took  their  horses  and  went  their  way. 

Then  all  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round  marvelled 
gready  of  Sir  Galahad,  that  he  durst  sit  there  in  that  Siege 
Perilous,  and  was  so  tender  of  age  ;  and  wist  not  from 
whence  he  came  but  all  only  by  God  ;  and  said  :  This  is 
he  by  whom  the  Sangreal  shall  be  enchieved,  for  there  sat 
never  none  but  he,  but  he  were  mischieved.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  beheld  his  son  and  had  great  joy  of  him.  Then 
Bors  told  his  fellows  :  Upon  pain  of  my  life  this  young 
knight  shall  come  unto  great  worship.  This  noise  was 
great  in  all  the  court,  so  that  it  came  to  the  queen.  Then 
she  had  marvel  what  knight  it  might  be  that  durst  adven- 
ture him  to  sit  in  the  Siege  Perilous.  Many  said  unto  the 
queen  he  resembled  much  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  I  may  well 
suppose,  said  the  queen,  that  he  is  son  of  Sir  Launcelot  and 
King  Pelles'  daughter,  and  his  name  is  Galahad.  I  would  fain 
see  him,  said  the  queen,  for  he  must  needs  be  a  noble  man, 
for  so  is  his  father,  I  report  me  unto  all  the  Table  Round. 

So  when  the  meat  was  done  that  the  king  and  all  were 
risen,  the  king  went  unto  the  Siege  Perilous  and  lift  up 
the  cloth,  and  found  there  the  name  of  Galahad  ;  and  then 
he  shewed  it  unto  Sir  Gawaine,  and  said  :  Fair  nephew, 
now  have  we  among  us  Sir  Galahad,  the  good  knight  that 
shall  worship  us  all  ;  and  upon  pain  of  my  life  he  shall 
enchieve  the  Sangreal,  right  as  Sir  Launcelot  hath  done  us 
to   understand.     Then   came   King   Arthur   unto   Galahad 


316  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

and  said  :  Sir,  ye  be  welcome,  for  ye  shall  move  many  good 
knights  to  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal,  and  ye  shall  enchieve 
that  never  knights  might  bring  to  an  end.  Then  the  king 
took  him  by  the  hand,  and  went  down  from  the  palace  to 
shew  Galahad  the  adventures  of  the  stone. 

The  queen  heard  thereof,  and  came  after  with  many 
ladies,  and  shewed  them  the  stone  where  it  hoved  on  the 
water.  Sir,  said  the  king  unto  Sir  Galahad,  here  is  a  great 
marvel  as  ever  I  saw,  and  right  good  knights  have  assayed 
and  failed.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  that  is  no  marvel,  for  this 
adventure  is  not  theirs  but  mine  ;  and  for  the  surety  of 
this  sword  I  brought  none  with  me,  for  here  by  my  side 
hangeth  the  scabbard.  And  anon  he  laid  his  hand  on  the 
sword,  and  lightly  drew  it  out  of  the  stone,  and  put  it  in 
the  sheath,  and  said  unto  the  king  :  Now  it  goeth  better 
than  it  did  aforehand.  Now  have  I  that  sword  that  sometime 
was  the  good  knight's,  Balin  le  Savage,  and  he  was  a  passing 
good  man  of  his  hands  ;  and  with  this  sword  he  slew  his 
brother  Balan,  and  that  was  great  pity,  for  he  was  a  good 
knight,  and  either  slew  other  through  a  dolorous  stroke 
that  Balin  gave  unto  my  grandfather  King  Pelles,  the 
which  is  not  yet  whole,  nor  not  shall  be  till  I  heal  him. 

HOW  A  DAMOSEL  ANNOUNCED  TO 
KING  ARTHUR  THAT  THE  SAN- 
GREAL SHOULD  APPEAR  IN  HIS 
HOUSE,  AND  HOW  KING  ARTHUR 
HAD  ALL  HIS  KNIGHTS  TOGETHER 
FOR  TO  JOUST  OR  THEY  DEPARTED, 
AND  HOWTHE  SANGREAL  APPEARED 
AS  THEY  SAT  AT  SUPPER,  AND  HOW  ALL  THE 
KNIGHTS  TOOK  UPON  THEM  THE  QUEST,  AND 


■ 

I 
ion  he 

How  Galahad  drew  out  the  sword  from  the  floating  stone  at  Camelot. 

To  face  page  316. 


OF  THE  TOURNAMENT  AT  CAMELOT  317 

OF  THE  SORROW  OF  THE  KING  AND  QUEEN  AT 
THEIR  DEPARTING.  Therewith  the  king  and  all  espied 
where  came  riding  down  the  river  a  lady  on  a  white  palfrey 
toward  them.  Then  she  saluted  the  king  and  the  queen,  and 
asked  if  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  there.  And  then  he  answered 
himself :  I  am  here,  fair  lady.  Then  she  said  all  with 
weeping  :  How  your  great  doing  is  changed  sith  this  day 
in  the  morn.  Damosel,  why  say  you  so  ?  said  Launcelot. 
I  say  you  sooth,  said  the  damosel,  for  ye  were  this  day  the 
best  knight  of  the  world,  but  who  should  say  so  now,  he 
should  be  a  liar,  for  there  is  now  one  better  than  ye,  and 
well  it  is  proved  by  the  adventures  of  the  sword  whereto 
ye  durst  not  set  to  your  hand  ;  and  that  is  the  change  and 
leaving  of  your  name.  Wherefore  I  make  unto  you  a 
remembrance,  that  ye  shall  not  ween  from  henceforth  that 
ye  be  the  best  knight  of  the  world.  As  touching  unto  that, 
said  Launcelot,  I  know  well  I  was  never  the  best.  Yes,  said 
the  damosel,  that  were  ye,  and  are  yet,  of  any  sinful  man 
of  the  world.  And,  Sir  king,  Nacien,  the  hermit,  sendeth 
thee  word,  that  thee  shall  befall  the  greatest  worship  that 
ever  befell  king  in  Britain  ;  and  I  say  you  wherefore,  for 
this  day  the  Sangreal  shall  appear  in  thy  house  and  shall 
feed  thee  and  all  thy  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table.  So 
she  departed  and  went  that  same  way  that  she  came. 

Now,  said  the  king,  I  am  sure  at  this  quest  of  the  Sangreal 
shall  all  ye  of  the  Table  Round  depart,  and  never  shall  I 
see  you  again  whole  together  ;  therefore  I  will  see  you  all 
whole  together  in  the  meadow  of  Camelot  to  joust  and  to 
tourney,  that  after  your  death  men  may  speak  of  it  that 
such  good  knights  were  wholly  together  such  a  day.  As 
unto  that  counsel  and  at  the  king's  request  they  accorded 
all,  and  took  on  their  harness  that  longed   unto  jousting. 


318  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

But  all  this  moving  of  the  king  was  for  this  intent,  for  to  see 
Galahad  proved  ;  for  the  king  deemed  he  should  not  lighdy 
come  again  unto  the  court  after  his  departing.  So  were 
they  assembled  in  the  meadow,  both  more  and  less.  Then 
Sir  Galahad,  by  the  prayer  of  the  king  and  the  queen,  did 
upon  him  a  noble  jesseraunce,  and  also  he  did  on  his  helm, 
but  shield  would  he  take  none  for  no  prayer  of  the  king. 
And  then  Sir  Gawaine  and  other  knights  prayed  him  to 
take  a  spear.  Right  so  he  did  ;  and  the  queen  was  in  a 
tower  with  all  her  ladies,  for  to  behold  that  tournament. 
Then  Sir  Galahad  dressed  him  in  midst  of  the  meadow,  and 
began  to  break  spears  marvellously,  that  all  men  had  wonder  of 
him  ;  for  he  there  surmounted  all  other  knights,  for  within 
a  while  he  had  defouled  many  good  knights  of  the  Table 
Round  save  twain,  that  was  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Percivale. 

Then  the  king,  at  the  queen's  request,  made  him  to 
alight  and  to  unlace  his  helm,  that  the  queen  might  see 
him  in  the  visage.  When  she  beheld  him  she  said  :  Soothly 
I  dare  well  say  that  Sir  Launcelot  is  his  father,  for  never 
two  men  resembled  more  in  likeness,  therefore  it  nis  no 
marvel  though  he  be  of  great  prowess.  So  a  lady  that 
stood  by  the  queen  said  :  Madam,  ought  he  of  right 
to  be  so  good  a  knight  ?  Yea,  forsooth,  said  the  queen, 
for  he  is  of  all  parties  come  of  the  best  knights  of  the  world 
and  of  the  highest  lineage  ;  for  Sir  Launcelot  is  come  but  of 
the  eighth  degree  from  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  and  Sir  Galahad 
is  of  the  ninth  degree  from  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  therefore 
I  dare  say  they  be  the  greatest  gendemen  of  the  world. 

And  then  the  king  and  all  estates  went  home  unto  Camelot, 
and  so  went  to  evensong  to  the  great  minster,  and  so  after 
upon  that  to  supper,  and  every  knight  sat  in  his  own  place 
as  they  were  toforehand.     Then  anon  they  heard  cracking 


OF  THE  VOW  OF  THE  KNIGHTS         319 

and  crying  of  thunder,  that  them  thought  the  place  should 
all  to-drive.  In  the  midst  of  this  blast  entered  a  sunbeam 
more  clearer  by  seven  times  than  ever  they  saw  day,  and 
all  they  were  alighted  of  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Then 
began  every  knight  to  behold  other,  and  either  saw  other, 
by  their  seeming,  fairer  than  ever  they  saw  afore.  Not 
for  then  there  was  no  knight  might  speak  one  word  a  great 
while,  and  so  they  looked  every  man  on  other  as  they  had 
been  dumb.  Then  there  entered  into  the  hall  the  Holy 
Grail  covered  with  white  samite,  but  there  was  none  might 
see  it,  nor  who  bare  it.  And  there  was  all  the  hall  fulfilled 
with  good  odours,  and  every  knight  had  such  meats  and 
drinks  as  he  best  loved  in  this  world.  And  when  the  Holy 
Grail  had  been  borne  through  the  hall,  then  the  holy  vessel 
departed  suddenly,  that  they  wist  not  where  it  became  : 
then  had  they  all  breath  to  speak.  And  then  the  king 
yielded  thankings  to  God,  of  His  good  grace  that  he  had 
sent  them.  Certes,  said  the  king,  we  ought  to  thank  our 
Lord  Jesu  greatly  for  that  He  hath  shewed  us  this  day,  at  the 
reverence  of  this  high  feast  of  Pentecost. 

Now,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  we  have  been  served  this  day  of 
what  meats  and  drinks  we  thought  on  ;  but  one  thing  beguiled 
us,  we  might  not  see  the  Holy  Grail,  it  was  so  preciously 
covered.  Wherefore  I  will  make  here  avow,  that  to-morn, 
without  longer  abiding,  I  shall  labour  in  the  quest  of  the 
Sangreal,  that  I  shall  hold  me  out  a  twelvemonth  and  a 
day,  or  more  if  need  be,  and  never  shall  I  return  again  unto 
the  court  till  I  have  seen  it  more  openly  than  it  hath  been 
seen  here ;  and  if  I  may  not  speed  I  shall  return  again  as  he 
that  may  not  be  against  the  will  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ. 

When  they  of  the  Table  Round  heard  Sir  Gawaine  say 
so,  they  arose  up  the  most  part  and  made  such  avows  as 


32o  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

Sir  Gawaine  had  made.  Anon  as  King  Arthur  heard  this 
he  was  greatly  displeased,  for  he  wist  well  they  might  not 
again-say  their  avows.  Alas,  said  King  Arthur  unto  Sir 
Gawaine,  ye  have  nigh  slain  me  with  the  avow  and  promise 
that  ye  have  made  ;  for  through  you  ye  have  bereft  me  the 
fairest  fellowship  and  the  truest  of  knighthood  that  ever  were 
seen  together  in  any  realm  of  the  world  ;  for  when  they  depart 
from  hence  I  am  sure  they  all  shall  never  meet  more  in  this 
world,  for  there  shall  die  many  in  the  quest.  And  so  it  for- 
thinketh  me  a  little,  for  I  have  loved  them  as  well  as  my  life, 
wherefore  it  shall  grieve  me  right  sore,  the  departition  of  this 
fellowship  :  for  I  have  had  an  old  custom  to  have  them  in 
my  fellowship.     And  therewith  the  tears  fell  in  his  eyes. 

When  the  queen,  ladies,  and  gentlewomen,  wist  these 
tidings,  they  had  such  sorrow  and  heaviness  that  there 
might  no  tongue  tell  it,  for  those  knights  had  held  them 
in  honour  and  chiertd.  But  among  all  other  Queen  Guen- 
ever  made  great  sorrow.  I  marvel,  said  she,  my  lord  would 
suffer  them  to  depart  from  him.  Thus  was  all  the  court 
troubled  for  the  departition  of  those  knights. 

After  this  the  queen  came  unto  Galahad  and  asked 
him  of  whence  he  was,  and  of  what  country.  He  told  her 
of  whence  he  was.  And  son  unto  Launcelot,  she  said  he 
was.  As  to  that  he  said  neither  yea  nor  nay.  So  God 
me  help,  said  the  queen,  of  your  father  ye  need  not  to  shame 
you,  for  he  is  the  goodliest  knight,  and  of  the  best  men  of 
the  world  come,  and  of  the  strain,  of  all  parties,  of  kings. 
Wherefore  ye  ought  of  right  to  be,  of  your  deeds,  a  passing 
good  man  ;  and  certainly,  she  said,  ye  resemble  him  much. 
Then  Sir  Galahad  was  a  little  ashamed  and  said  :  Madam, 
sith  ye  know  in  certain,  wherefore  do  ye  ask  it  me  ?  for  he 
that  is  my  father  shall  be  known  openly  and  all  betimes. 


THE  DEPARTURE  OF  THE  KNIGHTS    321 

And  then  they  went  to  rest  them.  And  in  the  honour  of 
the  highness  of  Galahad  he  was  led  into  King  Arthur's 
chamber,  and  there  rested  in  his  own  bed. 

And  as  soon  as  it  was  day  the  king  arose,  for  he  had  no 
rest  of  all  that  night  for  sorrow.  Then  he  went  unto  Gawaine 
and  to  Sir  Launcelot  that  were  arisen  for  to  hear  mass.  And 
then  the  king  again  said  :  Ah  Gawaine,  Gawaine,  ye  have 
betrayed  me  ;  for  never  shall  my  court  be  amended  by 
you,  but  ye  will  never  be  sorry  for  me  as  I  am  for  you. 
And  therewith  the  tears  began  to  run  down  by  his  visage. 
And  therewith  the  king  said  :  Ah,  knight  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  require  thee  thou  counsel  me,  for  I  would  that  this  quest 
were  undone,  an  it  might  be.  Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye 
saw  yesterday  so  many  worthy  knights  that  then  were  sworn 
that  they  may  not  leave  it  in  no  manner  of  wise.  That 
wot  I  well,  said  the  king,  but  it  shall  so  heavy  me  at  their 
departing  that  I  wot  well  there  shall  no  manner  of  joy  remedy 
me.  And  then  the  king  and  the  queen  went  unto  the 
minster.  So  anon  Launcelot  and  Gawaine  commanded 
their  men  to  bring  their  arms.  And  when  they  all  were 
armed  save  their  shields  and  their  helms,  then  they  came  to 
their  fellowship,  which  were  all  ready  in  the  same  wise,  for 
to  go  to  the  minster  to  hear  their  service. 

Then  after  the  service  was  done  the  king  would  wit 
how  many  had  undertaken  the  quest  of  the  Holy  Grail  ; 
and  to  accompt  them  he  prayed  them  all.  Then  found 
they  by  the  tale  an  hundred  and  fifty,  and  all  were  knights 
of  the  Round  Table.  And  then  they  put  on  their  helms 
and  departed,  and  recommended  them  all  wholly  unto  the 
queen  ;  and  there  was  weeping  and  great  sorrow.  Then 
the  queen  departed  into  her  chamber  and  held  her,  so  that 
no    man    should    perceive   her    great   sorrows.     When    Sir 


322  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

Launcelot  missed  the  queen  he  went  to  her  chamber,  and 
when  she  saw  him  she  cried  aloud  :  O  Launcelot,  Launce- 
lot, ye  have  betrayed  me  and  put  me  to  the  death,  for  to 
leave  thus  my  lord.  Ah,  madam,  I  pray  you  be  not  dis- 
pleased, for  I  shall  come  again  as  soon  as  I  may  with  my 
worship.  Alas,  said  she,  that  ever  I  saw  you  ;  but  he  that 
suffered  upon  the  cross  for  all  mankind,  he  be  unto  you 
good  conduct  and  safety,  and  to  all  the  whole  fellowship. 

Right  so  departed  Sir  Launcelot,  and  found  his  fellow- 
ship that  abode  his  coming.  And  so  they  mounted  upon 
their  horses  and  rode  through  the  streets  of  Camelot ;  and 
there  was  weeping  of  rich  and  poor,  and  the  king  turned 
away  and  might  not  speak  for  weeping. 

I  HOW  GALAHAD  GAT  HIM  A  SHIELD, 
AND  HOW  THEY  SPED  THAT  PRE- 
SUMED TO  TAKE  DOWN  THE  SAID 
SHIELD,  AND  HOW  KING  EVELAKE 
I  HAD  RECEIVED  THAT  SHIELD  OF 
JOSEPH  OF  ARAMATHIE.  Now  rideth  Sir  Galahad  yet 
without  shield,  and  so  he  rode  four  days  without  any  adven- 
ture. And  at  the  fourth  day  after  evensong  he  came  to  a 
White  Abbey,  and  there  he  was  received  with  great  reverence, 
and  led  unto  a  chamber,  and  there  was  he  unarmed  ;  and  then 
was  he  ware  of  two  knights  of  the  Table  Round,  one  was  Sir 
Bagdemagus,  and  that  other  was  Sir  Uwaine.  And  when  they 
saw  him  they  went  unto  Galahad  and  made  of  him  great 
solace,  and  so  they  went  unto  supper.  Sirs,  said  Sir  Galahad, 
what  adventure  brought  you  hither  ?  Sir,  said  they,  it  is  told 
us  that  within  this  place  is  a  shield  that  no  man  may  bear 
about  his  neck  but  he  be  mischieved  outher  dead  within 
three  days,  or  maimed  for  ever.     Ah  sir,  said  King  Bagde- 


HOW  SIR  GALAHAD  GAT  A  SHIELD     323 

magus,  I  shall  it  bear  to-morrow  for  to  assay  this  adventure. 
In  the  name  of  God,  said  Sir  Galahad.  Sir,  said  Bagde- 
magus,  an  I  may  not  enchieve  the  adventure  of  this  shield 
ye  shall  take  it  upon  you,  for  I  am  sure  ye  shall  not  fail. 
Sir,  said  Galahad,  I  right  well  agree  me  thereto,  for  I  have 
no  shield.  So  on  the  morn  they  arose  and  heard  mass. 
Then  Bagdemagus  asked  where  the  adventurous  shield 
was.  Anon  a  monk  led  him  behind  an  altar  where  the 
shield  hung  as  white  as  any  snow,  but  in  the  midst  was  a 
red  cross.  Sir,  said  the  monk,  this  shield  ought  not  to  be 
hanged  about  no  knight's  neck  but  he  be  the  worthiest 
knight  of  the  world  ;  therefore  I  counsel  you  knights  to 
be  well  advised.  Well,  said  Bagdemagus,  I  wot  well  that 
I  am  not  the  best  knight  of  the  world,  but  yet  I  shall  assay 
to  bear  it,  and  so  bare  it  out  of  the  minster.  And  then 
he  said  unto  Galahad  :  An  it  please  you,  abide  here  still, 
till  ye  wit  how  that  I  speed.  I  shall  abide  you,  said  Galahad. 
Then  King  Bagdemagus  took  with  him  a  good  squire,  to 
bring  tidings  unto  Sir  Galahad  how  he  sped. 

Then  when  they  had  ridden  a  two  mile  and  came  to  a 
fair  valley  afore  an  hermitage,  then  they  saw  a  knight  come 
from  that  part  in  white  armour,  horse  and  all  ;  and  he  came 
as  fast  as  his  horse  might  run,  and  his  spear  in  his  rest,  and 
Bagdemagus  dressed  his  spear  against  him  and  brake  it 
upon  the  white  knight.  But  the  other  struck  him  so  hard 
that  he  brast  the  mails,  and  sheef  him  through  the  right 
shoulder,  for  the  shield  covered  him  not  as  at  that  time  ; 
and  so  he  bare  him  from  his  horse.  And  therewith  he 
alighted  and  took  the  white  shield  from  him,  saying  :  Knight, 
thou  hast  done  thyself  great  folly,  for  this  shield  ought  not 
to  be  borne  but  by  him  that  shall  have  no  peer  that  liveth. 
And  then  he  came  to  Bagdemagus'  squire  and  said  :    Bear 


324  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

this  shield  unto  the  good  knight  Sir  Galahad,  that  thou 
left  in  the  abbey,  and  greet  him  well  by  me.  Sir,  said  the 
squire,  what  is  your  name  ?  Take  thou  no  heed  of  my 
name,  said  the  knight,  for  it  is  not  for  thee  to  know,  nor 
for  none  earthly  man.  Now,  fair  sir,  said  the  squire,  at 
the  reverence  of  Jesu  Christ,  tell  me  for  what  cause  this 
shield  may  not  be  borne  but  if  the  bearer  thereof  be  mis- 
chieved.  Now  sith  thou  hast  conjured  me  so,  said  the 
knight,  this  shield  behoveth  unto  no  man  but  unto  Galahad. 
And  the  squire  went  unto  Bagdemagus  and  asked  whether 
he  were  sore  wounded  or  not.  Yea  forsooth,  said  he,  I 
shall  escape  hard  from  the  death.  Then  he  fetched  his 
horse,  and  brought  him  with  great  pain  unto  an  abbey. 
Then  was  he  taken  down  softly  and  unarmed,  and  laid  in  a 
bed,  and  there  was  looked  to  his  wounds.  And  as  the  book 
telleth,  he  lay  there  long,  and  escaped  hard  with  the  life. 

Sir  Galahad,  said  the  squire,  that  knight  that  wounded 
Bagdemagus  sendeth  you  greeting,  and  bade  that  ye  should 
bear  this  shield,  wherethrough  great  adventures  should 
befall.  Now  blessed  be  God  and  fortune,  said  Galahad. 
And  then  he  asked  his  arms,  and  mounted  upon  his  horse, 
and  hung  the  white  shield  about  his  neck,  and  commended 
them  unto  God.  And  Sir  Uwaine  said  he  would  bear 
him  fellowship  if  it  pleased  him.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  that 
may  ye  not,  for  I  must  go  alone,  save  this  squire  shall  bear 
me  fellowship  :   and  so  departed  Uwaine. 

Then  within  a  while  came  Galahad  thereas  the  White 
Knight  abode  him  by  the  hermitage,  and  everych  saluted 
other  courteously.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  by  this  shield  be 
many  marvels  fallen.  Sir,  said  the  knight,  it  befell  after 
the  passion  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Christ  thirty-two  year,  that 
Joseph  of  Aramathie,  the  gentle  knight,   the  which  took 


OF  JOSEPH  AND  THE  WHITE  SHIELD  325 

down  our  Lord  off  the  holy  Cross,  at  that  time  he  departed 
from  Jerusalem  with  a  great  party  of  his  kindred  with  him. 
And  so  he  laboured  till  that  they  came  to  a  city  that  hight 
Sarras.  And  at  that  same  hour  that  Joseph  came  to  Sarras 
there  was  a  king  that  hight  Evelake,  that  had  great  war 
against  the  Saracens,  and  in  especial  against  one  Saracen, 
the  which  was  King  Evelake's  cousin,  a  rich  king  and  a 
mighty,  which  marched  nigh  this  land,  and  his  name  was 
called  Tolleme  la  Feintes.  So  on  a  day  these  two  met  to  do 
battle.  Then  Joseph,  the  son  of  Joseph  of  Aramathie,  went 
to  King  Evelake  and  told  him  he  should  be  discomfit  and 
slain,  but  if  he  left  his  belief  of  the  old  law  and  believed  upon 
the  new  law.  And  then  there  he  shewed  him  the  right 
belief  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  to  the  which  he  agreed  unto 
with  all  his  heart ;  and  there  this  shield  was  made  for  King 
Evelake,  in  the  name  of  Him  that  died  upon  the  Cross. 
And  then  through  his  good  belief  he  had  the  better  of  King 
Tolleme.  For  when  Evelake  was  in  the  battle  there  was 
a  cloth  set  afore  the  shield,  and  when  he  was  in  the  greatest 
peril  he  let  put  away  the  cloth,  and  then  his  enemies  saw  a 
figure  of  a  man  on  the  Cross,  wherethrough  they  all  were 
discomfit.  And  so  it  befell  that  a  man  of  King  Evelake's 
was  smitten  his  hand  off,  and  bare  that  hand  in  his  other 
hand  ;  and  Joseph  called  that  man  unto  him  and  bade  him 
go  with  good  devotion  touch  the  Cross.  And  as  soon  as 
that  man  had  touched  the  Cross  with  his  hand  it  was  as  whole 
as  ever  it  was  to-fore.  Then  soon  after  there  fell  a  great 
marvel,  that  the  cross  of  the  shield  at  one  time  vanished 
away  that  no  man  wist  where  it  became.  And  then  King 
Evelake  was  baptised,  and  for  the  most  part  all  the  people 
of  that  city.  So,  soon  after  Joseph  would  depart,  and 
King   Evelake  would   go  with  him,  whether  he  wold    or 

z 


326  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

nold.  And  so  by  fortune  they  came  into  this  land,  that 
at  that  time  was  called  Great  Britain  ;  and  there  they  found 
a  great  felon  paynim,  that  put  Joseph  into  prison.  And  so 
by  fortune  tidings  came  unto  a  worthy  man  that  hight 
Mondrames,  and  he  assembled  all  his  people  for  the  great 
renown  he  had  heard  of  Joseph  ;  and  so  he  came  into  the 
land  of  Great  Britain  and  disherited  this  felon  paynim  and 
consumed  him,  and  therewith  delivered  Joseph  out  of  prison. 
And  after  that  all  the  people  were  turned  to  the  Christian  faith. 
Not  long  after  that  Joseph  was  laid  in  his  deadly  bed. 
And  when  King  Evelake  saw  that  he  made  much  sorrow, 
and  said  :  For  thy  love  I  have  left  my  country,  and  sith 
ye  shall  depart  out  of  this  world,  leave  me  some  token  of 
yours  that  I  may  think  on  you.  Joseph  said  :  That  will 
I  do  full  gladly  ;  now  bring  me  your  shield  that  I  took 
you  when  ye  went  into  batde  against  King  Tolleme.  Then 
Joseph  bled  sore  at  the  nose,  so  that  he  might  not  by  no 
mean  be  staunched.  And  there  upon  that  shield  he  made 
a  cross  of  his  own  blood.  Now  may  ye  see  a  remembrance 
that  I  love  you,  for  ye  shall  never  see  this  shield  but  ye 
shall  think  on  me,  and  it  shall  be  always  as  fresh  as  it  is  now. 
And  never  shall  man  bear  this  shield  about  his  neck  but  he 
shall  repent  it,  unto  the  time  that  Galahad,  the  good  knight, 
bear  it ;  and  the  last  of  my  lineage  shall  have  it  about  his 
neck,  that  shall  do  many  marvellous  deeds.  Now,  said  King 
Evelake,  where  shall  I  put  this  shield,  that  this  worthy 
knight  may  have  it  ?  Ye  shall  leave  it  thereas  Nacien,  the 
hermit,  shall  be  put  after  his  death  ;  for  thither  shall  that  good 
knight  come  the  fifteenth  day  after  that  he  shall  receive  the 
order  of  knighthood.  And  so  that  day  that  they  set  is  this  time 
that  ye  have  his  shield,  and  in  the  same  abbey  lieth  Nacien, 
the  hermit.     And  then  the  White  Knight  vanished  away. 


THE  CASTLE  OF  MAIDENS  327 

HOW  SIR  GALAHAD  DESTROYED  THE 
WICKED  CUSTOM  OF  THE  CASTLE  OF 
MAIDENS,  AND  HOW  HE  MET  WITH  SIR 
LAUNCELOT  AND  SIR  PERCIVALE  AND  SMOTE 
THEM  DOWN.  Now  departed  Galahad,  and  rode  many 
journeys  forward  and  backward,  as  adventure  would  lead 
him.  And  at  the  last  Sir  Galahad  came  unto  a  mountain 
where  he  found  an  old  chapel,  and  found  there  nobody,  for 
all,  all  was  desolate  ;  and  there  he  kneeled  to-fore  the  altar, 
and  besought  God  of  wholesome  counsel.  So  as  he  prayed 
he  heard  a  voice  that  said  :  Go  thou  now,  thou  adventurous 
knight,  to  the  Casde  of  Maidens,  and  there  do  thou  away 
the  wicked  customs. 

When  Sir  Galahad  heard  this  he  thanked  God,  and  took 
his  horse  ;  and  he  had  not  ridden  but  half  a  mile,  he  saw 
in  the  valley  afore  him  a  strong  casde  with  deep  ditches, 
and  there  ran  beside  it  a  fair  river  that  hight  Severn  ;  and 
there  he  met  with  a  man  of  great  age,  and  either  saluted 
other,  and  Galahad  asked  him  the  casde's  name.  Fair  sir, 
said  he,  it  is  the  Casde  of  Maidens.  That  is  a  cursed  casde, 
said  Galahad,  and  all  they  that  be  conversant  therein,  for 
all  pity  is  out  thereof,  and  all  hardiness  and  mischief  is 
therein.  Therefore,  I  counsel  you,  sir  knight,  to  turn 
again.  Sir,  said  Galahad,  wit  you  well  I  shall  not  turn 
again.  Then  looked  Sir  Galahad  on  his  arms  that  nothing 
failed  him,  and  then  he  put  his  shield  afore  him  ;  and  anon 
there  met  him  seven  fair  maidens,  the  which  said  unto 
him  :  Sir  knight,  ye  ride  here  in  a  great  folly,  for  ye  have 
the  water  to  pass  over.  Why  should  I  not  pass  the  water  ? 
said  Galahad.  So  rode  he  away  from  them  and  met  with 
a  squire  that  said  :  Knight,  those  knights  in  the  casde 
defy  you,  and  defenden  you  ye  go  no  further  till  that  they 


328  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

wit  what  ye  would.  Fair  sir,  said  Galahad,  I  come  for  to 
destroy  the  wicked  custom  of  this  castle.  Sir,  an  ye  will 
abide  by  that  ye  shall  have  enough  to  do.  Go  you  now, 
said  Galahad,  and  haste  my  needs. 

Then  the  squire  entered  into  the  casde.  And  anon 
after  there  came  out  of  the  castle  seven  knights,  and  all 
were  brethren.  And  when  they  saw  Galahad  they  cried  : 
Knight,  keep  thee,  for  we  assure  thee  nothing  but  death. 
Why,  said  Galahad,  will  ye  all  have  ado  with  me  at  once  ? 
Yea,  said  they,  thereto  mayst  thou  trust.  Then  Galahad 
put  forth  his  spear  and  smote  the  foremost  to  the  earth, 
that  near  he  brake  his  neck.  And  therewithal  the  other 
smote  him  on  his  shield  great  strokes,  so  that  their  spears 
brake.  Then  Sir  Galahad  drew  out  his  sword,  and  set 
upon  them  so  hard  that  it  was  marvel  to  see  it,  and  so  through 
great  force  he  made  them  to  forsake  the  field  ;  and  Galahad 
chased  them  till  they  entered  into  the  casde,  and  so  passed 
through  the  casde  at  another  gate. 

And  there  met  Sir  Galahad  an  old  man  clothed  in  religious 
clothing,  and  said  :  Sir,  have  here  the  keys  of  this  casde. 
Then  Sir  Galahad  opened  the  gates,  and  saw  so  much  people 
in  the  streets  that  he  might  not  number  them,  and  all  said  : 
Sir,  ye  be  welcome,  for  long  have  we  abiden  here  our  deliver- 
ance. Then  came  to  him  a  gendewoman  and  said  :  These 
knights  be  fled,  but  they  will  come  again  this  night,  and 
here  to  begin  again  their  evil  custom.  What  will  ye  that  I 
shall  do  ?  said  Galahad.  Sir,  said  the  gendewoman,  that 
ye  send  after  all  the  knights  hither  that  hold  their  lands  of 
this  casde,  and  make  them  to  swear  for  to  use  the  customs 
that  were  used  heretofore  of  old  dme.  I  will  well,  said 
Galahad.  And  there  she  brought  him  an  horn  of  ivory, 
bounden  with  gold  richly,  and  said  :    Sir,  blow  this  horn 


OF  SIR  GALAHAD  AND  THE  KNIGHTS    329 

which  will  be  heard  two  mile  about  this  castle.  When  Sir 
Galahad  had  blown  the  horn  he  set  him  down  upon  a  bed. 

Then  came  a  priest  to  Galahad,  and  said  :  Sir,  it  is  past 
a  seven  year  agone  that  these  seven  brethren  came  into  this 
casde,  and  harboured  with  the  lord  of  this  casde,  that  hight 
the  Duke  Lianour,  and  he  was  lord  of  all  this  country.  And 
when  they  espied  the  duke's  daughter,  that  was  a  full  fair 
woman,  then  by  their  false  covin  they  made  debate  betwixt 
themselves,  and  the  duke  of  his  goodness  would  have  departed 
them,  and  there  they  slew  him  and  his  eldest  son.  And 
then  they  took  the  maiden  and  the  treasure  of  the  casde. 
And  then  by  great  force  they  held  all  the  knights  of  this 
casde  against  their  will  under  their  obeissance,  and  in  great 
service  and  truage,  robbing  and  pilling  the  poor  common 
people  of  all  that  they  had.  So  it  happened  on  a  day  the 
duke's  daughter  said  :  Ye  have  done  unto  me  great  wrong 
to  slay  mine  own  father,  and  my  brother,  and  thus  to  hold 
our  lands  :  not  for  then,  she  said,  ye  shall  not  hold  this 
castle  for  many  years,  for  by  one  knight  ye  shall  be  over- 
come. Thus  she  prophesied  seven  years  agone.  Well, 
said  the  seven  knights,  sithen  ye  say  so,  there  shall  never 
lady  nor  knight  pass  this  casde  but  they  shall  abide  maugre 
their  heads,  or  die  therefore,  till  that  knight  be  come  by 
whom  we  shall  lose  this  casde.  And  therefore  is  it  called 
the  Maidens'  Casde,  for  they  have  devoured  many  maidens. 
Now,  said  Galahad,  is  she  here  for  whom  this  casde  was  lost  ? 
Nay,  sir,  said  the  priest,  she  was  dead  within  these  three 
nights  after  that  she  was  thus  enforced  ;  and  sithen  have 
they  kept  her  younger  sister,  which  endureth  great  pains 
with  many  other  ladies. 

By  this  were  the  knights  of  the  country  come,  and  then 
he  made  them  do  homage  and  fealty  to  the  king's  daughter, 


330  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

and  set  them  in  great  ease  of  heart.  And  in  the  morn  there 
came  one  to  Galahad  and  told  him  how  that  Gawaine, 
Gareth,  and  Uwaine,  had  slain  the  seven  brethren.  I 
suppose  well,  said  Sir  Galahad,  and  took  his  armour  and 
his  horse,  and  commended  them  unto  God. 

So  when  Sir  Galahad  was  departed  from  the  Castle  of 
Maidens  he  rode  till  he  came  to  a  waste  forest,  and  there 
he  met  with  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Percivale,  but  they  knew 
him  not,  for  he  was  new  disguised.  Right  so  Sir  Launcelot, 
his  father,  dressed  his  spear  and  brake  it  upon  Sir  Galahad, 
and  Galahad  smote  him  so  again  that  he  smote  down  horse 
and  man.  And  then  he  drew  his  sword,  and  dressed  him 
unto  Sir  Percivale,  and  smote  him  so  on  the  helm,  that  it 
rove  to  the  coif  of  steel  ;  and  had  not  the  sword  swerved 
Sir  Percivale  had  been  slain,  and  with  the  stroke  he  fell  out 
of  his  saddle.  This  jousts  was  done  to-fore  the  hermitage 
where  a  recluse  dwelled.  And  when  she  saw  Sir  Galahad 
ride,  she  said  :  God  be  with  thee,  best  knight  of  the  world. 
Ah  certes,  said  she,  all  aloud  that  Launcelot  and  Percivale 
might  hear  it,  an  yonder  two  knights  had  known  thee 
as  well  as  I  do  they  would  not  have  encountered  with  thee. 
When  Sir  Galahad  heard  her  say  so  he  was  adread  to  be 
known  :  therewith  he  smote  his  horse  with  his  spurs  and 
rode  a  great  pace  froward  them.  Then  perceived  they  both 
that  he  was  Galahad  ;  and  up  they  gat  on  their  horses, 
and  rode  fast  after  him,  but  in  a  while  he  was  out  of  their 
sight. 

And  then  Sir  Launcelot  rode  overthwart  and  endlong 
in  a  wild  forest,  and  held  no  path  but  as  wild  adventure 
led  him.  And  at  the  last  he  came  to  a  stony  cross  which 
departed  two  ways  in  waste  land  ;  and  by  the  cross  was  a 
stone  that  was  of  marble,  but  it  was  so  dark  that  Sir  Launcelot 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  VISION  331 

might  not  wit  what  it  was.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  looked  by 
him,  and  saw  an  old  chapel,  and  there  he  weened  to  have 
found  people  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  tied  his  horse  till  a  tree, 
and  there  he  did  off  his  shield  and  hung  it  upon  a  tree,  and 
then  went  to  the  chapel  door,  and  found  it  waste  and  broken. 
And  within  he  found  a  fair  altar,  full  richly  arrayed  with 
cloth  of  clean  silk,  and  there  stood  a  fair  clean  candlestick, 
which  bare  six  great  candles,  and  the  candlestick  was  of 
silver.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  this  light  he  had  great 
will  for  to  enter  into  the  chapel,  but  he  could  find  no  place 
where  he  might  enter  ;  then  was  he  passing  heavy  and  dis- 
mayed. Then  he  returned  and  came  to  his  horse  and  did 
off  his  saddle  and  bridle,  and  let  him  pasture,  and  unlaced 
his  helm,  and  ungirt  his  sword,  and  laid  him  down  to  sleep 
upon  his  shield  to-fore  the  cross. 

I  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT,  HALF  SLEEP- 
ING AND  HALF  WAKING,  SAW  A  SICK 
MAN  HEALED  WITH  THE  SANGREAL, 
AND  HOW  A  VOICE  SPAKE  TO  SIR 
LAUNCELOT,  AND  HOW  HE  WAS 
SHRIVEN,  AND  HOW  A  GOOD  MAN 
GAVE  HIM  A  HAIR  SHIRT  TO  WEAR,  AND  HOW 
HE  WAS  OVERCOME  AT  A  JOUSTING  AND  AT 
LAST  CAME  TO  A  RIVER.  And  so  he  fell  asleep ; 
and  half  waking  and  sleeping  he  saw  come  by  him  two 
palfreys  all  fair  and  white,  the  which  bare  a  litter,  therein 
lying  a  sick  knight.  And  when  he  was  nigh  the  cross  he 
there  abode  still.  All  this  Sir  Launcelot  saw  and  beheld, 
for  he  slept  not  verily  ;  and  he  heard  him  say  :  O  sweet 
Lord,  when  shall  this  sorrow  leave  me  ?  and  when  shall 
the    holy   vessel    come    by   me,   wherethrough   I   shall   be 


332  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

blessed  ?  For  I  have  endured  thus  long  for  little  trespass. 
A  full  great  while  complained  the  knight  thus,  and  always 
Sir  Launcelot  heard  it.  With  that  Sir  Launcelot  saw 
the  candlestick  with  the  six  tapers  come  before  the  cross, 
and  he  saw  nobody  that  brought  it.  Also  there  came  a 
table  of  silver,  and  the  holy  vessel  of  the  Sangreal,  which 
Launcelot  had  seen  aforetime  in  King  Pescheour's  house. 
And  therewith  the  sick  knight  set  him  up,  and  held  up 
both  his  hands,  and  said  :  Fair  sweet  Lord,  which  is  here 
within  this  holy  vessel  ;  take  heed  unto  me  that  I  may  be 
whole  of  this  malady.  And  therewith  on  his  hands  and  on 
his  knees  he  went  so  nigh  that  he  touched  the  holy  vessel 
and  kissed  it,  and  anon  he  was  whole  ;  and  then  he  said  : 
Lord  God,  I  thank  thee,  for  I  am  healed  of  this  sickness. 

So  when  the  holy  vessel  had  been  there  a  great  while 
it  went  unto  the  chapel  with  the  chandelier  and  the  light, 
so  that  Launcelot  wist  not  where  it  was  become  ;  for  he  was 
overtaken  with  sin  that  he  had  no  power  to  rise  again  the 
holy  vessel  ;  wherefore  after  that  many  men  said  of  him 
shame,  but  he  took  repentance  after  that.  Then  the  sick 
knight  dressed  him  up  and  kissed  the  cross  ;  anon  his  squire 
brought  him  his  arms,  and  asked  his  lord  how  he  did.  Certes, 
said  he,  I  thank  God  right  well,  through  the  holy  vessel  I 
am  healed.  But  I  have  marvel  of  this  sleeping  knight  that 
had  no  power  to  awake  when  this  holy  vessel  was  brought 
hither.  I  dare  right  well  say,  said  the  squire,  that  he  dwelleth 
in  some  deadly  sin  whereof  he  was  never  confessed.  By  my 
faith,  said  the  knight,  whatsomever  he  be  he  is  unhappy,  for 
as  I  deem  he  is  of  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  the 
which  is  entered  into  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  Sir,  said 
the  squire,  here  I  have  brought  you  all  your  arms  save  your 
helm  and  your  sword,  and  therefore  by  mine  assent  now  may 


OF  THE  GRIEF  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT     333 

ye  take  this  knight's  helm  and  his  sword  :  and  so  he  did. 
And  when  he  was  clean  armed  he  took  Sir  Launcelot's  horse, 
for  he  was  better  than  his  ;  and  so  departed  they  from  the 
cross. 

Then  anon  Sir  Launcelot  waked,  and  set  him  up,  and 
bethought  him  what  he  had  seen  there,  and  whether  it 
were  dreams  or  not.  Right  so  heard  he  a  voice  that  said  : 
Sir  Launcelot,  more  harder  than  is  the  stone,  and  more 
bitter  than  is  the  wood,  and  more  naked  and  barer  than  is 
the  leaf  of  the  fig  tree  ;  therefore  go  thou  from  hence,  and 
withdraw  thee  from  this  holy  place.  And  when  Sir  Launce- 
lot heard  this  he  was  passing  heavy  and  wist  not  what  to  do, 
and  so  departed  sore  weeping,  and  cursed  the  time  that 
he  was  born.  For  then  he  deemed  never  to  have  had  worship 
more.  For  those  words  went  to  his  heart.  Then  Sir  Launce- 
lot went  to  the  cross  and  found  his  helm,  his  sword,  and  his 
horse  taken  away.  And  then  he  called  himself  a  very 
wretch,  and  most  unhappy  of  all  knights  ;  and  there  he 
said  :  My  sin  and  my  wickedness  have  brought  me  unto 
great  dishonour.  For  when  I  sought  worldly  adventures 
for  worldly  desires,  I  ever  enchieved  them  and  had  the 
better  in  every  place,  and  never  was  I  discomfit  in  no  quarrel, 
were  it  right  or  wrong.  And  now  I  take  upon  me  the  adven- 
tures of  holy  things,  and  now  I  see  and  understand  that 
mine  old  sin  hindereth  me  and  shameth  me,  so  that  I  had 
no  power  to  stir  nor  speak  when  the  holy  blood  appeared 
afore  me.  So  thus  he  sorrowed  till  it  was  day,  and  heard 
the  fowls  sing  :  then  somewhat  he  was  comforted.  But 
when  Sir  Launcelot  missed  his  horse  and  his  harness  then 
he  wist  well  God  was  displeased  with  him. 

Then  he  departed  from  the  cross  on  foot  into  a  forest  ; 
and  so  by  prime  he  came  to  an  high  hill,  and  found  an 


334  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

hermitage  and  a  hermit  therein  which  was  going  unto 
mass.  And  then  Launcelot  kneeled  down  and  cried  on  Our 
Lord  mercy  for  his  wicked  works.  So  when  mass  was  done 
Launcelot  called  the  hermit,  and  prayed  him  for  charity 
for  to  hear  his  life.  With  a  good  will,  said  the  good  man. 
Sir,  said  he,  be  ye  of  King  Arthur's  court  and  of  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  Round  Table  ?  Yea  forsooth,  and  my  name  is 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  that  hath  been  right  well  said  of,  and 
now  my  good  fortune  is  changed,  for  I  am  the  most  wretch 
of  the  world.  The  hermit  beheld  him  and  had  marvel 
how  he  was  so  abashed.  Sir,  said  the  hermit,  ye  ought  to 
thank  God  more  than  any  knight  living,  for  He  hath  caused 
you  to  have  more  worldly  worship  than  any  knight  that 
now  liveth.  And  for  your  presumption  to  take  upon  you 
in  deadly  sin  for  to  be  in  His  presence,  where  His  flesh  and 
His  blood  was,  that  caused  you  ye  might  not  see  it  with 
worldly  eyes  ;  for  He  will  not  appear  where  such  sinners 
be,  but  if  it  be  unto  their  great  hurt  and  unto  their  great 
shame  ;  and  there  is  no  knight  living  now  that  ought  to 
give  God  so  great  thank  as  ye,  for  He  hath  given  you  beauty, 
seemliness,  and  great  strength  above  all  other  knights  ;  and 
therefore  ye  are  the  more  beholding  unto  God  than  any 
other  man,  to  love  Him  and  dread  Him,  for  your  strength 
and  manhood  will  little  avail  you  an  God  be  against  you. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  wept  with  heavy  cheer,  and  said  : 
Now  I  know  well  ye  say  me  sooth.  Sir,  said  the  good  man, 
hide  none  old  sin  from  me.  Truly,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
that  were  me  full  loath  to  discover.  For  this  fourteen  year 
I  never  discovered  one  thing  that  I  have  used,  and  that  may 
I  now  wite  my  shame  and  my  disadventure.  And  then 
he  told  there  that  good  man  all  his  life.  And  how  he  had 
loved  a  queen  unmeasurably  and  out  of  measure  long.     And 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  HERMIT   335 

all  my  great  deeds  of  arms  that  I  have  done,  I  did  for  the 
most  part  for  the  queen's  sake,  and  for  her  sake  would  I 
do  batde  were  it  right  or  wrong  ;  and  never  did  I  batde 
all  only  for  God's  sake,  but  for  to  win  worship  and  to  cause 
me  to  be  the  better  beloved,  and  litde  or  nought  I  thanked 
God  of  it.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  said  :  I  pray  you  counsel 
me.  I  will  counsel  you,  said  the  hermit,  if  ye  will  ensure 
me  that  ye  will  never  come  in  that  queen's  fellowship  as 
much  as  ye  may  forbear.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  promised 
him  he  nold,  by  the  faith  of  his  body.  Look  that  your 
heart  and  your  mouth  accord,  said  the  good  man,  and 
I  shall  ensure  you  ye  shall  have  more  worship  than  ever 
ye  had. 

Then  the  good  man  enjoined  Sir  Launcelot  such  penance 
as  he  might  do  and  to  sewe  knighthood,  and  so  assoiled 
him,  and  when  he  had  kept  Sir  Launcelot  three  days,  he 
gat  him  an  horse,  an  helm,  and  a  sword.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  departed  about  the  hour  of  noon.  And  then 
he  saw  a  litde  house.  And  when  he  came  near  he  saw  a 
chapel,  and  there  beside  he  saw  an  old  man  that  was  clothed 
all  in  white  full  richly  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  said  :  God 
save  you.  God  keep  you,  said  the  good  man,  and  make 
you  a  good  knight.  Be  ye  not  Sir  Launcelot  ?  Yea,  sir, 
said  he.  What  seek  ye  in  this  country  ?  Sir,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  go  to  seek  the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal. 
Well,  said  he,  seek  it  ye  may  well,  but  though  it  were  here 
ye  shall  have  no  power  to  see  it  no  more  than  a  blind  man 
should  see  a  bright  sword,  and  that  is  long  on  your  sin,  and 
else  ye  were  more  abler  than  any  man  living.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  began  to  weep,  and  said  :  Father,  what  shall  I 
do  ?  Now,  said  the  good  man,  I  require  you  take  this  hair 
that  was  an  holy  man's  and  put  it  next  thy  skin,  and  it  shall 


336  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

prevail  thee  greatly.  Sir,  and  I  will  do  it,  said  Sir  Launcelot. 
Also  I  charge  you  that  ye  eat  no  flesh  as  long  as  ye  be  in 
the  quest  of  the  Sangreal,  nor  ye  shall  drink  no  wine,  and 
that  ye  hear  mass  daily  an  ye  may  do  it.  So  he  took  the 
hair  and  put  it  upon  him,  and  so  departed  at  evensong-time. 
Then  he  rode  till  that  he  came  to  a  Cross,  and  took  that  for 
his  host  as  for  that  night,  and  made  his  prayers  unto  the 
Cross  that  he  never  fall  in  deadly  sin  again.  And  on  the 
morn  he  took  his  horse  and  rode  till  midday  ;  and  there  by 
adventure  he  met  with  the  same  knight  that  took  his  horse, 
his  helm,  and  his  sword,  when  he  slept  when  the  Sangreal 
appeared  afore  the  Cross.  When  Sir  Launcelot  saw  him 
he  saluted  him  not  fair,  but  cried  on  high  :  Knight,  keep 
thee,  for  thou  hast  done  to  me  great  unkindness.  And  then 
they  put  afore  them  their  spears,  and  Sir  Launcelot  came  so 
fiercely  upon  him  that  he  smote  him  and  his  horse  down  to  the 
earth,  that  he  had  nigh  broken  his  neck.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
took  the  knight's  horse  that  was  his  own  aforehand,  and 
descended  from  the  horse  he  sat  upon,  and  mounted  upon 
his  own  horse,  and  tied  the  knight's  own  horse  to  a  tree, 
that  he  might  find  that  horse  when  that  he  was  arisen. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  rode  into  a  forest,  and  held  no  high- 
way. And  as  he  looked  afore  him  he  saw  a  fair  plain,  and 
beside  that  a  fair  castle,  and  afore  the  castle  were  many 
pavilions  of  silk  and  of  divers  hue.  And  him  seemed  that 
he  saw  there  five  hundred  knights  riding  on  horseback ;  and 
there  were  two  parties  :  they  that  were  of  the  castle  were 
all  on  black  horses  and  their  trappings  black,  and  they  that 
were  without  were  all  on  white  horses  and  trappings,  and 
everych  hurtled  to  other  that  it  marvelled  Sir  Launcelot. 
And  at  the  last  him  thought  they  of  the  castle  were  put  to 
the  worse. 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  OVERCOME   337 

Then  thought  Sir  Launcelot  for  to  help  there  the  weaker 
party  in  increasing  of  his  chivalry.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot 
thrust  in  among  the  party  of  the  castle,  and  smote  down 
a  knight,  horse  and  man,  to  the  earth.  And  then  he  rashed 
here  and  there,  and  did  marvellous  deeds  of  arms.  And 
then  he  drew  out  his  sword,  and  struck  many  knights  to 
the  earth,  so  that  all  those  that  saw  him  marvelled  that  ever 
one  knight  might  do  so  great  deeds  of  arms.  But  always 
the  white  knights  held  them  nigh  about  Sir  Launcelot,  for 
to  tire  him  and  wind  him.  But  at  the  last,  as  a  man  may 
not  ever  endure,  Sir  Launcelot  waxed  so  faint  of  fighting 
and  travailing,  and  was  so  weary  of  his  great  deeds,  that 
he  might  not  lift  up  his  arms  for  to  give  one  stroke,  so  that 
he  weened  never  to  have  borne  arms  ;  and  then  they  all 
took  and  led  him  away  into  a  forest,  and  there  made  him  to 
alight  and  to  rest  him.  And  then  all  the  fellowship  of  the 
castle  were  overcome  for  the  default  of  him.  Then  they 
said  all  unto  Sir  Launcelot  :  Blessed  be  God  that  ye  be 
now  of  our  fellowship,  for  we  shall  hold  you  in  our  prison  ; 
and  so  they  left  him  with  few  words.  And  then  Sir  Launce- 
lot made  great  sorrow,  For  never  or  now  was  I  never  at 
tournament  nor  jousts  but  I  had  the  best,  and  now  I  am 
shamed  ;  and  then  he  said  :  Now  I  am  sure  that  I  am  more 
sinfuller  than  ever  I  was. 

Thus  he  rode  sorrowing,  and  half  a  day  he  was  out  of 
despair,  till  that  he  came  into  a  deep  valley,  and  there  he 
saw  a  river  and  an  high  mountain.  And  through  the  water 
he  must  needs  pass,  the  which  was  hideous  ;  and  then  in 
the  name  of  God  he  took  it  with  good  heart.  And  when 
he  came  over  he  saw  an  armed  knight,  horse  and  man  black 
as  any  bear  ;  without  any  word  he  smote  Sir  Launcelot's 
horse  to  the  earth  ;   and  so  he  passed  on,  he  wist  not  where 


338  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

he  was  become.     And  then  he  took  his  helm  and  his  shield, 
and  thanked  God  of  his  adventure. 

HOW  SIR  PERCIVALE  FOUND  KING 
EVELAKE,  AND  HOW  HE  WAS  RES- 
CUED FROM  TWENTY  KNIGHTS 
BY  SIR  GALAHAD,  AND  HOW  THE 
FIEND  DISGUISED  AS  THE  LADY  OF  A  SHIP 
BEGUILED  HIM,  AND  OF  HIS  PENANCE.  Now 
saith  the  tale  that,  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  ridden  after 
Sir  Galahad,  Sir  Percivale  rode  till  he  was  ware  of  an 
house  closed  well  with  walls  and  deep  ditches,  and  there  he 
knocked  at  the  gate  and  was  let  in,  and  he  alighted  and 
was  led  unto  a  chamber,  and  soon  he  was  unarmed.  And 
there  he  had  right  good  cheer  all  that  night ;  and  on  the 
morn  he  heard  his  mass,  and  in  the  monastery  he  found  a 
priest  ready  at  the  altar.  And  on  the  right  side  he  saw  a 
pew  closed  with  iron,  and  behind  the  altar  he  saw  a  rich 
bed  and  a  fair,  as  of  cloth  of  silk  and  gold. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  espied  that  therein  was  a  man  or  a 
woman,  for  the  visage  was  covered  ;  then  he  left  off  his 
looking  and  heard  his  service.  And  when  it  came  to  the 
sacring,  he  that  lay  within  that  parclos  dressed  him  up,  and 
uncovered  his  head  ;  and  then  him  beseemed  a  passing  old 
man,  and  he  had  a  crown  of  gold  upon  his  head,  and  his 
shoulders  were  naked  and  uncovered  unto  his  middle.  And 
then  Sir  Percivale  espied  his  body  was  full  of  great  wounds, 
both  on  the  shoulders,  arms,  and  visage.  And  ever  he  held 
up  his  hands  against  Our  Lord's  body,  and  cried  :  Fair, 
sweet  Father,  Jesu  Christ,  forget  not  me.  And  so  he  lay 
down,  but  always  he  was  in  his  prayers  and  orisons  ;  and 
him  seemed  to  be  of  the  age  of  three  hundred  winter.     And 


HOW  SIR  PERCIVALE  FOUND  EVELAKE   339 

when  the  mass  was  done  the  priest  took  Our  Lord's  body 
and  bare  it  to  the  sick  king.  And  when  he  had  used  it  he 
did  off  his  crown,  and  commanded  the  crown  to  be  set  on 
the  altar. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  asked  one  of  the  brethren  what  he 
was.  Sir,  said  the  good  man,  ye  have  heard  much  of  Joseph 
of  Aramathie,  how  he  was  sent  by  Jesu  Christ  into  this  land 
for  to  teach  and  preach  the  holy  Christian  faith  ;  and  there- 
fore he  suffered  many  persecutions  the  which  the  enemies 
of  Christ  did  unto  him,  and  in  the  city  of  Sarras  he  con- 
verted a  king  whose  name  was  Evelake.  And  so  this  king 
came  with  Joseph  into  this  land,  and  ever  he  was  busy  to 
be  thereas  the  Sangreal  was  ;  and  on  a  time  he  nighed  it  so 
nigh  that  Our  Lord  was  displeased  with  him,  but  ever  he 
followed  it  more  and  more,  till  God  struck  him  almost  blind. 
Then  this  king  cried  mercy,  and  said  :  Fair  Lord,  let  me 
never  die  till  the  good  knight  of  my  blood  of  the  ninth 
degree  be  come,  that  I  may  see  him  openly  that  he  shall 
enchieve  the  Sangreal,  that  I  may  kiss  him. 

When  the  king  thus  had  made  his  prayers  he  heard  a 
voice  that  said  :  Heard  be  thy  prayers,  for  thou  shalt  not 
die  till  he  have  kissed  thee.  And  when  that  knight  shall 
come  the  clearness  of  your  eyes  shall  come  again,  and  thou 
shalt  see  openly,  and  thy  wounds  shall  be  healed,  and  erst 
shall  they  never  close.  And  this  befell  of  King  Evelake, 
and  this  same  king  hath  lived  this  three  hundred  winters 
this  holy  life,  and  men  say  the  knight  is  in  the  court  that 
shall  heal  him.  Sir,  said  the  good  man,  I  pray  you  tell  me 
what  knight  that  ye  be,  and  if  ye  be  of  King  Arthur's  court 
and  of  the  Table  Round.  Yea  forsooth,  said  he,  and  my 
name  is  Sir  Percivale  de  Galis.  And  when  the  good  man 
understood  his  name  he  made  great  joy  of  him. 


34° 


OF  SIR  GALAHAD 


And  then  Sir  Percivale  departed  and  rode  till  the  hour 
of  noon.  And  he  met  in  a  valley  about  a  twenty  men  of 
arms,  which  bare  in  a  bier  a  knight  deadly  slain.  And 
when  they  saw  Sir  Percivale  they  asked  him  of  whence  he 
was.  And  he  answered  :  Of  the  court  of  King  Arthur. 
Then  they  cried  all  at  once  :  Slay  him.  Then  Sir  Percivale 
smote  the  first  to  the  earth  and  his  horse  upon  him.  And 
then  seven  of  the  knights  smote  upon  his  shield  all  at  once, 
and  the  remnant  slew  his  horse  so  that  he  fell  to  the  earth. 
So  had  they  slain  him,  or  taken  him,  had  not  the  good  knight, 
Sir  Galahad,  with  the  red  arms,  come  there  by  adventure 
into  those  parts.  And  when  he  saw  all  those  knights  upon 
one  knight  he  cried  :  Save  me  that  knight's  life.  And  then 
he  dressed  him  toward  the  twenty  men  of  arms  as  fast  as 
his  horse  might  drive,  with  his  spear  in  the  rest,  and  smote 
the  foremost  horse  and  man  to  the  earth.  And  when  his 
spear  was  broken  he  set  his  hand  to  his  sword,  and  smote 
on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand  that  it  was  marvel 
to  see,  and  at  every  stroke  he  smote  one  down  or  put  him 
to  a  rebuke,  so  that  they  would  fight  no  more  but  fled  to 
a  thick  forest,  and  Sir  Galahad  followed  them. 

And  when  Sir  Percivale  saw  him  chase  them  so,  he  made 
great  sorrow  that  his  horse  was  away.  And  then  he  wist 
well  it  was  Sir  Galahad.  And  then  he  cried  aloud  :  Ah 
fair  knight,  abide  and  suffer  me  to  do  thankings  unto  thee, 
for  much  have  ye  done  for  me.  But  ever  Sir  Galahad  rode 
so  fast  that  at  the  last  he  passed  out  of  his  sight. 

Then  Sir  Percivale  came  to  a  rough  water  and  saw  a  ship 
come  rowing  in  the  sea,  as  all  the  wind  of  the  world  had 
driven  it.  And  so  it  drove  under  a  rock.  And  when  Sir 
Percivale  saw  this  he  hied  him  thither,  and  found  the  ship 
covered  with  silk  more  blacker  than  any  bear,  and  therein 


OF  SIR  PERCIVALE  AND  THE  LADY    341 

was  a  gentlewoman  of  great  beauty,  and  she  was  clothed 
richly  that  none  might  be  better.  And  when  she  saw  Sir 
Percivale  she  said  :  Who  brought  you  in  this  wilderness 
where  ye  be  never  like  to  pass  hence  ?  for  ye  shall  die  here 
for  hunger  and  mischief  and  be  eaten  with  wild  beasts  ; 
and  ye  be  a  young  man  and  a  goodly  knight,  and  I 
shall  help  you  an  ye  will.  What  are  ye,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
that  proffered  me  thus  great  kindness  ?  I  am,  said  she, 
a  gentlewoman  that  am  disherited,  which  was  sometime  the 
richest  woman  of  the  world.  Damosel,  said  Sir  Percivale, 
who  hath  disherited  you  ?  for  I  have  great  pity  of  you. 
Sir,  said  she,  I  dwelled  with  the  greatest  man  of  the  world, 
and  he  made  me  so  fair  and  so  clear  that  there  was  none  like 
me  ;  and  of  that  great  beauty  I  had  a  little  pride  more  than 
I  ought  to  have  had.  Also  I  said  a  word  that  pleased  him 
not.  And  then  he  would  not  suffer  me  to  be  any  longer 
in  his  company,  and  so  drove  me  from  mine  heritage,  and  so 
disherited  me,  and  he  had  never  pity  of  me  nor  of  none  of 
my  council,  nor  of  my  court.  And  sithen,  sir  knight,  it 
hath  befallen  me  so,  through  me  and  mine  I  have  taken 
from  him  many  of  his  men,  and  made  them  to  become 
my  men.  For  they  ask  never  nothing  of  me  but  I  give 
it  them,  that  and  much  more.  Thus  I  and  all  my  servants 
war  against  him  night  and  day.  Therefore  I  know  now 
no  good  knight,  nor  no  good  man,  but  I  get  them  on  my 
side  an  I  may.  And  for  that  I  know  that  thou  art  a  good 
knight,  I  beseech  you  to  help  me  ;  and  for  ye  be  a  fellow 
of  the  Round  Table,  wherefore  ye  ought  not  to  fail  no 
gentlewoman  which  is  disherited,  an  she  besought  you  of 
help. 

Then   Sir  Percivale  promised  her  all  the  help  that  he 
might ;    and  then  she  thanked  him.     And  at  that  time  the 

2A 


342  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

weather  was  hot.  Then  she  called  unto  her  a  gentlewoman 
and  bade  her  bring  forth  a  pavilion  ;  and  so  she  did,  and 
pight  it  upon  the  gravel.  Sir,  said  she,  now  may  ye  rest  you 
in  this  heat  of  the  day.  Then  he  thanked  her,  and  she  put 
off  his  helm  and  his  shield,  and  there  he  slept  a  great  while. 
And  then  he  awoke  and  asked  her  if  she  had  any  meat, 
and  she  said  :  Yea,  also  ye  shall  have  enough.  And  so 
there  was  set  enough  upon  the  table,  and  thereon  so  much 
that  he  had  marvel,  for  there  was  all  manner  of  meats  that 
he  could  think  on.  Also  he  drank  there  the  strongest  wine 
that  ever  he  drank,  him  thought,  and  therewith  he  was  a 
little  chafed  more  than  he  ought  to  be  ;  with  that  he  beheld 
the  gentlewoman,  and  him  thought  she  was  the  fairest  creature 
that  ever  he  saw.  And  then  Sir  Percivale  proffered  her 
love,  and  prayed  her  that  she  would  be  his.  Then  she  re- 
fused him,  in  a  manner,  when  he  required  her,  for  the 
cause  he  should  be  the  more  ardent  on  her,  and  ever  he 
ceased  not  to  pray  her  of  love.  And  when  she  saw  him  well 
enchafed,  then  she  said  :  Sir  Percivale,  wit  you  well  I  shall 
not  fulfil  your  will  but  if  ye  swear  from  henceforth  ye  shall 
be  my  true  servant,  and  to  do  nothing  but  that  I  shall  com- 
mand you.  Will  ye  ensure  me  this  as  ye  be  a  true  knight  ? 
Yea,  said  he,  fair  lady,  by  the  faith  of  my  body.  Well, 
said  she,  now  shall  ye  do  with  me  whatso  it  please  you  ;  and 
now  wit  ye  well  ye  are  the  knight  in  the  world  that  I  have 
most  desire  to. 

And  then  Sir  Percivale  by  adventure  and  grace  saw  his 
sword  lie  on  the  ground  naked,  in  whose  pommel  was  a 
red  cross  and  the  sign  of  the  crucifix  therein,  and  bethought 
him  on  his  knighthood,  and  then  he  made  a  sign  of  the 
cross  in  his  forehead,  and  therewith  the  pavilion  turned 
up-so-down,  and  then  it  changed  unto  a  smoke,  and  a  black 


SIR  PERCIVALE  SAVED  FROM  THE  FIEND   343 

cloud,  and  then  he  was  adread  and  cried  aloud  :  Fair 
sweet  Father,  Jesu  Christ,  ne  let  me  not  be  shamed,  the 
which  was  nigh  lost  had  not  thy  good  grace  been.  And 
then  he  looked  into  a  ship,  and  saw  her  enter  therein,  which 
said  :  Sir  Percivale,  ye  have  betrayed  me.  And  so  she 
went  with  the  wind  roaring  and  yelling,  that  it  seemed  all 
the  water  brent  after  her.  Then  Sir  Percivale  made  great 
sorrow,  and  drew  his  sword  unto  him,  saying  :  Sithen  my 
flesh  will  be  my  master  I  shall  punish  it ;  and  therewith  he 
rove  himself  through  the  thigh  that  the  blood  stert  about 
him,  and  said  :  O  good  Lord,  take  this  in  recompensation 
of  that  I  have  done  against  thee,  my  Lord.  So  then  he 
clothed  him  and  armed  him,  and  called  himself  a  wretch, 
saying  :  How  nigh  was  I  lost,  and  to  have  lost  that  I  should 
never  have  gotten  again,  that  was  my  virginity,  for  that 
may  never  be  recovered  after  it  is  once  lost.  And  then  he 
stopped  his  bleeding  wound  with  a  piece  of  his  shirt. 

Thus  as  he  made  his  moan  he  saw  a  ship  come  from 
Orient  covered  within  and  without  with  white  samite.  Then 
Sir  Percivale  took  his  arms,  and  entered  into  the  ship,  and  so 
departed  from  thence. 

HOW  SIR  BORS  RESCUED  A  DAMOSEL 
RATHER  THAN  HIS  BROTHER  SIR 
LIONEL,  AND  HOW  THEREAFTER  SIR 
LIONEL  WOULD  FIGHT  WITH  SIR  BORS,  BUT 
SIR  BORS  WOULD  NOT.  Now  turn  we  to  Sir  Bors 
that  when  he  was  departed  from  Camelot  rode  into  a  forest, 
and  there  befell  him  a  marvellous  adventure.  So  he  met  at 
the  departing  of  two  ways  two  knights  that  led  Lionel,  his 
brother,  all  naked,  bounden  upon  a  strong  hackney,  and  his 
hands  bounden  to-fore  his  breast.     And   everych   of  them 


344  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

held  in  his  hands  thorns  wherewith  they  went  beating  him 
so  sore  that  the  blood  trailed  down  more  than  in  an  hundred 
places  of  his  body,  so  that  he  was  all  blood  to-fore  and  behind, 
but  he  said  never  a  word  ;  as  he  which  was  great  of  heart 
he  suffered  all  that  ever  they  did  to  him,  as  though  he  had 
felt  none  anguish. 

Anon  Sir  Bors  dressed  him  to  rescue  him  that  was  his 
brother  ;  and  so  he  looked  upon  the  other  side  of  him, 
and  saw  a  knight  which  brought  a  fair  gendewoman,  and 
would  have  set  her  in  the  thickest  place  of  the  forest  for 
to  have  been  the  more  surer  out  of  the  way  from  them  that 
sought  him.  And  she,  which  was  nothing  assured,  cried 
with  an  high  voice  :  Saint  Mary,  succour  your  maid.  And 
anon  she  espied  where  Sir  Bors  came  riding.  And  when 
she  came  nigh  him  she  deemed  him  a  knight  of  the  Round 
Table,  whereof  she  hoped  to  have  some  comfort ;  and  then 
she  conjured  him  :  By  the  faith  that  ye  owe  unto  Him 
in  whose  service  thou  art  entered  in,  and  for  the  faith  ye  owe 
unto  the  high  order  of  knighthood,  and  for  the  noble  King 
Arthur's  sake,  that  I  suppose  made  thee  knight,  that  thou 
help  me,  and  suffer  me  not  to  be  shamed  of  this  knight. 
When  Bors  heard  her  say  thus  he  had  so  much  sorrow  there 
he  nist  not  what  to  do.  For  if  I  let  my  brother  be  in  adven- 
ture he  must  be  slain,  and  that  would  I  not  for  all  the  earth. 
And  if  I  help  not  the  maid  she  is  shamed  for  ever,  and  also 
she  shall  lose  her  virginity  the  which  she  shall  never  get 
again.  Then  lift  he  up  his  eyes  and  said  weeping  :  Fair 
sweet  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  whose  liege  man  I  am,  keep  Lionel, 
my  brother,  that  these  knights  slay  him  not,  and  for  pity 
of  you,  and  for  Mary's  sake,  I  shall  succour  this  maid. 

Then  dressed  he  him  unto  the  knight  the  which  had  the 
gendewoman,   and   then   he   cried  :    Sir   knight,   let   your 


HOW  SIR  BORS  MET  SIR  LIONEL       345 

hand  off  that  maiden,  or  ye  be  but  dead.  And  then  he 
set  down  the  maiden,  and  was  armed  at  all  pieces  save  he 
lacked  his  spear.  Then  he  dressed  his  shield,  and  drew 
out  his  sword,  and  Bors  smote  him  so  hard  that  it  went 
through  his  shield  and  habergeon  on  the  left  shoulder. 
And  through  great  strength  he  beat  him  down  to  the  earth, 
and  at  the  pulling  out  of  Bors'  spear  there  he  swooned. 
Then  came  Bors  to  the  maid  and  said  :  How  seemeth  it 
you  ?  of  this  knight  ye  be  delivered  at  this  time.  Now 
sir,  said  she,  I  pray  you  lead  me  thereas  this  knight  had  me. 
So  shall  I  do  gladly  :  and  took  the  horse  of  the  wounded 
knight,  and  set  the  gentlewoman  upon  him,  and  so  brought 
her  as  she  desired. 

Then  Sir  Bors  rode  after  Lionel,  his  brother,  by  the 
trace  of  their  horses.  Thus  he  rode  seeking  a  great  while, 
and  then  he  turned  to  an  hermitage  that  was  in  the  entry 
of  a  forest. 

And  when  he  was  come  thither  he  found  there  Sir  Lionel, 
his  brother,  which  sat  all  armed  at  the  entry  of  the  chapel 
door  for  to  abide  there  harbour  till  on  the  morn  that  a 
tournament  should  be.  And  when  Sir  Bors  saw  him  he  had 
great  joy  of  him,  that  it  were  marvel  to  tell  of  his  joy.  And 
then  he  alighted  off  his  horse,  and  said  :  Fair  sweet  brother, 
when  came  ye  hither  ?  Anon  as  Lionel  saw  him  he  said  : 
Ah  Bors,  ye  may  not  make  none  avaunt,  but  as  for  you  I 
might  have  been  slain  ;  when  ye  saw  two  knights  leading 
me  away  beating  me,  ye  left  me  for  to  succour  a  gentle- 
woman, and  suffered  me  in  peril  of  death  ;  for  never  erst 
ne  did  no  brother  to  another  so  great  an  untruth.  And  for 
that  misdeed  now  I  ensure  you  but  death,  for  well  have  ye 
deserved  it ;  therefore  keep  thee  from  henceforward,  and 
that  shall  ye  find  as  soon  as  I  am  armed.     When  Sir  Bors 


346  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

understood  his  brother's  wrath  he  kneeled  down  to  the  earth 
and  cried  him  mercy,  holding  up  both  his  hands,  and  prayed 
him  to  forgive  him  his  evil  will.  Nay,  said  Lionel,  that  shall 
never  be  an  I  may  have  the  higher  hand,  that  I  make  mine 
avow  to  God,  thou  shalt  have  death  for  it,  for  it  were  pity 
ye  lived  any  longer. 

Right  so  he  went  in  and  took  his  harness,  and  mounted 
upon  his  horse,  and  came  to-fore  him  and  said  :  Bors,  keep 
thee  from  me,  for  I  shall  do  to  thee  as  I  would  to  a  felon 
or  a  traitor,  for  ye  be  the  untruest  knight  that  ever  came  out 
of  so  worthy  an  house  as  was  King  Bors  de  Ganis  which  was 
our  father ;  therefore  start  upon  thy  horse,  and  so  shall  ye 
be  most  at  your  advantage.  And  but  if  ye  will  I  will  run 
upon  you  thereas  ye  stand  upon  foot,  and  so  the  shame  shall 
be  mine  and  the  harm  yours,  but  of  that  shame  ne  reck  I 
nought. 


HOW  WHEN  SIR  BORS  WOULD  NOT 
FIGHT  WITH  HIM  SIR  LIONEL 
WOULD  HAVE  SLAIN  HIM,  AND  HOW 
HE  SLEW  A  HERMIT  AND  SIR  COL- 
GREVANCE  WHO  WOULD  HAVE  SAVED  SIR 
BORS,  AND  HOW  SIR  BORS  AND  SIR  LIONEL 
WERE  PARTED  BY  A  CLOUD.  When  Sir  Bors  saw  that 
he  must  fight  with  his  brother  or  else  to  die,  he  nist  what  to 
do ;  then  his  heart  counselled  him  not  thereto,  inasmuch  as 
Lionel  was  born  or  he,  wherefore  he  ought  to  bear  him  rever- 
ence ;  yet  kneeled  he  down  afore  Lionel's  horse's  feet,  and  said : 
Fair  sweet  brother,  have  mercy  upon  me  and  slay  me  not,  and 
have  in  remembrance  the  great  love  which  ought  to  be  between 
us  twain.  What  Sir  Bors  said  to  Lionel  he  recked  not,  for  the 
fiend  had  brought  him  in  such  a  will  that  he  should  slay  him. 


OF  SIR  LIONEL  AND  SIR  COLGREVANCE   347 

Then  when  Lionel  saw  he  would  none  other,  and  that  he 
would  not  have  risen  to  give  him  battle,  he  rashed  over  him 
so  that  he  smote  Bors  with  his  horse,  feet  upward,  to  the 
earth,  and  hurt  him  so  sore  that  he  swooned  of  distress, 
the  which  he  felt  in  himself  to  have  died  without  confession. 
So  when  Lionel  saw  this,  he  alighted  off  his  horse  to  have 
smitten  off  his  head.  And  so  he  took  him  by  the  helm, 
and  would  have  rent  it  from  his  head.  Then  came  the  hermit 
running  unto  him,  which  was  a  good  man  and  of  great  age, 
and  well  had  heard  all  the  words  that  were  between  them, 
and  so  fell  down  upon  Sir  Bors. 

Then  he  said  to  Lionel :  Ah  gende  knight,  have  mercy 
upon  me  and  on  thy  brother,  for  if  thou  slay  him  thou 
shalt  be  dead  of  sin,  and  that  were  sorrowful,  for  he  is  one 
of  the  worthiest  knights  of  the  world,  and  of  the  best  con- 
ditions. So  God  me  help,  said  Lionel,  sir  priest,  but  if  ye 
flee  from  him  I  shall  slay  you,  and  he  shall  never  the  sooner 
be  quit.  Certes,  said  the  good  man,  I  have  liefer  ye  slay 
me  than  him,  for  my  death  shall  not  be  great  harm,  not 
half  so  much  as  of  his.  Well,  said  Lionel,  I  am  greed  ;  and 
set  his  hand  to  his  sword  and  smote  him  so  hard  that  his  head 
went  backward.  Not  for  that  he  restrained  him  of  his  evil 
will,  but  took  his  brother  by  the  helm,  and  unlaced  it  to 
have  stricken  off  his  head,  and  had  slain  him  without  fail, 
but  so  it  happed,  Colgrevance,  a  fellow  of  the  Round  Table, 
came  at  that  time  thither  as  Our  Lord's  will  was.  And 
when  he  saw  the  good  man  slain  he  marvelled  much  what 
it  might  be.  And  then  he  beheld  Lionel  would  have  slain 
his  brother,  and  knew  Sir  Bors,  which  he  loved  right  well. 
Then  stert  he  down  and  took  Lionel  by  the  shoulders,  and 
drew  him  strongly  aback  from  Bors,  and  said  :  Lionel,  will 
ye  slay  your  brother,  one  of  the  worthiest  knights  of  the  world  ? 


348  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

and  that  should  no  good  man  suffer.  Why,  said  Lionel, 
will  ye  let  me  ?  therefore  if  ye  entermete  you  in  this  I  shall 
slay  you,  and  him  after.  Why,  said  Colgrevance,  is  this 
sooth  that  ye  will  slay  him  ?  Slay  him  will  I,  said  he,  whoso 
say  the  contrary,  for  he  hath  done  so  much  against  me  that 
he  hath  well  deserved  it.  And  so  ran  upon  him,  and  would 
have  smitten  him  through  the  head,  and  Sir  Colgrevance 
ran  betwixt  them,  and  said  :  An  ye  be  so  hardy  to  do  so 
more,  we  two  shall  meddle  together. 

When  Lionel  understood  his  words  he  took  his  shield 
afore  him,  and  asked  him  what  that  he  was.  And  he  told 
him,  Colgrevance,  one  of  his  fellows.  Then  Lionel  defied 
him,  and  gave  him  a  great  stroke  through  the  helm.  Then 
he  drew  his  sword,  for  he  was  a  passing  good  knight,  and 
defended  him  right  manfully.  So  long  dured  the  batde 
that  Bors  rose  up  all  anguishly,  and  beheld  how  Colgre- 
vance, the  good  knight,  fought  with  his  brother  for  his  quarrel ; 
then  was  he  full  sorry  and  heavy,  and  thought  if  Colgrevance 
slew  him  that  was  his  brother  he  should  never  have  joy  ; 
and  if  his  brother  slew  Colgrevance  the  shame  should  ever 
be  his.  Then  would  he  have  risen  to  have  departed 
them,  but  he  had  not  so  much  might  to  stand  on  foot ;  so 
he  abode  him  so  long  till  Colgrevance  had  the  worse,  for 
Lionel  was  of  great  chivalry  and  right  hardy,  for  he  had 
pierced  the  hauberk  and  the  helm,  that  he  abode  but  death, 
for  he  had  lost  much  of  his  blood  that  it  was  marvel  that  he 
might  stand  upright.  Then  beheld  he  Sir  Bors  which  sat 
dressing  him  upward  and  said  :  Ah,  Bors,  why  come  ye  not 
to  cast  me  out  of  peril  of  death,  wherein  I  have  put  me  to 
succour  you  which  were  right  now  nigh  the  death  ?  Certes, 
said  Lionel,  that  shall  not  avail  you,  for  none  of  you  shall 
bear  other's  warrant,  but  that  ye  shall  die  both  of  my  hand. 


HOW  LIONEL  SLEW  COLGREVANCE     349 

When  Bors  heard  that,  he  did  so  much,  he  rose  and 
put  on  his  helm.  Then  perceived  he  first  the  hermit- 
priest  which  was  slain,  then  made  he  a  marvellous  sorrow 
upon  him. 

Then  oft  Colgrevance  cried  upon  Sir  Bors :  Why  will 
ye  let  me  die  here  for  your  sake  ?  if  it  please  you  that  I 
die  for  you  the  death,  it  will  please  me  the  better  for  to 
save  a  worthy  man.  With  that  word  Sir  Lionel  smote  off 
the  helm  from  his  head.  Then  Colgrevance  saw  that  he 
might  not  escape  ;  then  he  said  :  Fair  sweet  Jesu,  that  I 
have  misdone  have  mercy  upon  my  soul,  for  such  sorrow 
that  my  heart  suffereth  for  goodness,  and  for  alms  deed 
that  I  would  have  done  here,  be  to  me  aligement  of  penance 
unto  my  soul's  health.  At  these  words  Lionel  smote  him  so 
sore  that  he  bare  him  to  the  earth.  So  when  he  had  slain  Col- 
grevance he  ran  upon  his  brother  as  a  fiendly  man,  and  gave 
him  such  a  stroke  that  he  made  him  stoop.  And  he  that 
was  full  of  humility  prayed  him  for  God's  love  to  leave  this 
batde  :  For  an  it  befell,  fair  brother,  that  I  slew  you  or  ye 
me,  we  should  be  dead  of  that  sin.  Never  God  me  help 
but  if  I  have  on  you  mercy,  an  I  may  have  the  better  hand. 
Then  drew  Bors  his  sword,  all  weeping,  and  said  :  Fair 
brother,  God  knoweth  mine  intent.  Ah,  fair  brother,  ye 
have  done  full  evil  this  day  to  slay  such  an  holy  priest  the 
which  never  trespassed.  Also  ye  have  slain  a  gentle  knight, 
and  one  of  our  fellows.  And  well  wot  ye  that  I  am  not 
afeard  of  you  gready,  but  I  dread  the  wrath  of  God,  and 
this  is  an  unkindly  war,  therefore  God  show  miracle  upon 
us  both.  Now  God  have  mercy  upon  me  though  I  defend 
my  life  against  my  brother.  With  that  Bors  lift  up  his  hand 
and  would  have  smitten  his  brother. 

And  then  he  heard  a  voice  that  said  :   Flee  Bors,  and 


35Q  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

touch  him  not,  or  else  thou  shalt  slay  him.  Right  so  alighted 
a  cloud  betwixt  them  in  likeness  of  a  fire  and  a  marvellous 
flame,  that  both  their  two  shields  brent.  Then  were  they 
sore  afraid,  that  they  fell  both  to  the  earth,  and  lay  there  a 
great  while  in  a  swoon.  And  when  they  came  to  themself, 
Bors  saw  that  his  brother  had  no  harm  ;  then  he  held  up 
both  his  hands,  for  he  dread  God  had  taken  vengeance  upon 
him.  With  that  he  heard  a  voice  say  :  Bors,  go  hence,  and 
bear  thy  brother  no  longer  fellowship,  but  take  thy  way 
anon  right  to  the  sea,  for  Sir  Percivale  abideth  thee  there. 
Then  he  said  to  his  brother  :  Fair  sweet  brother,  forgive 
me  for  God's  love  all  that  I  have  trespassed  unto  you.  Then 
he  answered  :    God  forgive  it  thee  and  I  do  gladly. 

So  Sir  Bors  departed  from  him  and  rode  the  next  way 
to  the  sea.  And  at  the  last  by  fortune  he  came  to  an  abbey 
which  was  nigh  the  sea.  That  night  Bors  rested  him  there  ; 
and  in  his  sleep  there  came  a  voice  to  him  and  bade  him  go 
to  the  sea.  Then  he  stert  up  and  made  a  sign  of  the  cross 
in  the  midst  of  his  forehead,  and  took  his  harness,  and  made 
ready  his  horse,  and  mounted  upon  him  ;  and  at  a  broken 
wall  he  rode  out,  and  rode  so  long  till  that  he  came  to  the 
sea.  And  on  the  strand  he  found  a  ship  covered  all  with 
white  samite,  and  he  alighted,  and  betook  him  to  Jesu  Christ. 
And  as  soon  as  he  entered  into  the  ship,  the  ship  departed 
into  the  sea,  and  went  so  fast  that  him  seemed  the  ship  went 
flying,  but  it  was  soon  dark  so  that  he  might  know  no  man, 
and  so  he  slept  till  it  was  day.  Then  he  awaked,  and  saw 
in  midst  of  the  ship  a  knight  lie  all  armed  save  his  helm. 
Then  knew  he  that  it  was  Sir  Percivale  of  Wales,  and  then 
he  made  of  him  right  great  joy  ;  and  either  told  other  of 
their  temptations,  as  ye  have  heard  to-forehand.  So  went 
they  downward  in  the  sea,  one  while  backward,  another 


OF  SIR  GALAHAD  AT  A  TOURNAMENT   351 

while  forward,  and  everych  comforted  other,  and  oft  were 
in  their  prayers.  Then  said  Sir  Percivale  :  We  lack  nothing 
but  Galahad,  the  good  knight. 

HOW  SIR  GALAHAD  FOUGHT  AT  A  TOUR- 
NAMENT, AND  OF  THE  STROKE  THAT  HE 
GAVE  SIR  GAWAINE,  AND  HOW  HE  RODE 
WITH  A  DAMOSEL  AND  CAME  TO  A  SHIP 
WHEREIN  WERE  SIR  BORS  AND  SIR  PERCIVALE. 
Now  saith  this  story,  when  Galahad  had  rescued  Percivale 
from  the  twenty  knights,  he  went  then  into  a  waste  forest 
wherein  he  rode  many  journeys  ;  and  he  found  many 
adventures  the  which  he  brought  to  an  end,  whereof  the 
story  maketh  here  no  mention.  Then  he  took  his  way 
to  the  sea  on  a  day,  and  it  befell  as  he  passed  by  a  casde 
where  was  a  wonder  tournament,  but  they  without  had 
done  so  much  that  they  within  were  put  to  the  worse,  yet 
were  they  within  good  knights  enough.  When  Galahad 
saw  that  those  within  were  at  so  great  a  mischief  that  men 
slew  them  at  the  entry  of  the  casde,  then  he  thought  to  help 
them,  and  put  a  spear  forth  and  smote  the  first  that  he  fell 
to  the  earth,  and  the  spear  brake  to  pieces.  Then  he  drew 
his  sword  and  smote  thereas  they  were  thickest,  and  so  he 
did  wonderful  deeds  of  arms  that  all  they  marvelled.  Then 
it  happed  that  Gawaine  and  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  were  with 
the  knights  without.  But  when  they  espied  the  white  shield 
with  the  red  cross  the  one  said  to  the  other  :  Yonder  is  the 
good  knight,  Sir  Galahad,  the  haut  prince  :  now  he  should 
be  a  great  fool  which  should  meet  with  him  to  fight.  So 
by  adventure  he  came  by  Sir  Gawaine,  and  he  smote  him 
so  hard  that  he  clave  his  helm  and  the  coif  of  iron  unto  his 
head,  so  that  Gawaine  fell  to  the  earth  ;    but  the  stroke  was 


352  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

so  great  that  it  slanted  down  to  the  earth  and  carved  the 
horse's  shoulder  in  two. 

When  Ector  saw  Gawaine  down  he  drew  him  aside, 
and  thought  it  no  wisdom  for  to  abide  Galahad,  and  also  for 
natural  love,  that  he  was  his  uncle.  Thus  through  his  great 
hardiness  he  beat  aback  all  the  knights  without.  And  then 
they  within  came  out  and  chased  them  all  about.  But 
when  Galahad  saw  there  would  none  turn  again  he  stole 
away  privily,  so  that  none  wist  where  he  was  become.  Now 
by  my  head,  said  Gawaine  to  Ector,  now  are  the  wonders 
true  that  were  said  of  Launcelot  du  Lake,  that  the  sword 
which  stuck  in  the  stone  should  give  me  such  a  buffet  that 
I  would  not  have  it  for  the  best  castle  in  this  world  ;  and 
soothly  now  it  is  proved  true,  for  never  ere  had  I  such  a  stroke 
of  man's  hand.  Sir,  said  Ector,  meseemeth  your  quest  is 
done.  And  yours  is  not  done,  said  Gawaine,  but  mine  is 
done,  I  shall  seek  no  further.  Then  Gawaine  was  borne 
into  a  castle  and  unarmed  him,  and  laid  him  in  a  rich  bed, 
and  a  leech  found  that  he  might  live,  and  to  be  whole  within 
a  month.  Thus  Gawaine  and  Ector  abode  together,  for 
Sir  Ector  would  not  away  till  Gawaine  were  whole. 

And  the  good  knight,  Galahad,  rode  so  long  till  he 
came  that  night  to  the  Castle  of  Carboneck  ;  and  it  befell 
him  thus  that  he  was  benighted  in  an  hermitage.  So  the 
good  man  was  fain  when  he  saw  he  was  a  knight-errant. 
Then  when  they  were  at  rest  there  came  a  gendewoman 
knocking  at  the  door,  and  called  Galahad,  and  so  the  good 
man  came  to  the  door  to  wit  what  she  would.  Then  she 
called  the  hermit :  Sir  Ulfin,  I  am  a  gendewoman  that 
would  speak  with  the  knight  which  is  with  you.  Then 
the  good  man  awaked  Galahad,  and  bade  him  :  Arise,  and 
speak  with  a  gentlewoman  that  seemeth  hath  great  need 


HOW  GALAHAD  RODE  WITH  A  DAMOSEL  353 

of  you.  Then  Galahad  went  to  her  and  asked  her  what 
she  would.  Galahad,  said  she,  I  will  that  ye  arm  you,  and 
mount  upon  your  horse  and  follow  me,  for  I  shall  show  you 
within  these  three  days  the  highest  adventure  that  ever 
any  knight  saw.  Anon  Galahad  armed  him,  and  took  his 
horse,  and  commended  him  to  God,  and  bade  the  gende- 
woman  go,  and  he  would  follow  thereas  she  liked. 

So  she  rode  as  fast  as  her  palfrey  might  bear  her,  till  that 
she  came  to  the  sea  ;  and  there  they  found  the  ship  where 
Bors  and  Percivale  were  in,  the  which  cried  on  the  ship's 
board  :  Sir  Galahad,  ye  be  welcome,  we  have  abiden  you 
long.  And  when  he  heard  them  he  asked  them  what  they 
were.  Sir,  said  she,  leave  your  horse  here,  and  I  shall  leave 
mine  ;  and  took  their  saddles  and  their  bridles  with  them, 
and  made  a  cross  on  them,  and  so  entered  into  the  ship. 
And  the  two  knights  received  them  both  with  great  joy, 
and  everych  knew  other  ;  and  so  the  wind  arose,  and  drove 
them  through  the  sea  in  a  marvellous  pace.  And  within  a 
while  it  dawned. 

By  then  the  ship  went  from  the  land  of  Logris,  and 
by  adventure  it  arrived  up  betwixt  two  rocks  passing  great 
and  marvellous  ;  but  there  they  might  not  land,  for  there 
was  a  swallow  of  the  sea,  save  there  was  another  ship,  and 
upon  it  they  might  go  without  danger.  Go  we  thither, 
said  the  gendewoman,  and  there  shall  we  see  adventures, 
for  so  is  Our  Lord's  will.  And  when  they  came  thither 
they  found  the  ship  rich  enough,  but  they  found  neither 
man  nor  woman  therein.  But  they  found  in  the  end  of 
the  ship  two  fair  letters  written,  which  said  a  dreadful  word 
and  a  marvellous  :  Thou  man,  which  shall  enter  into  this 
ship,  beware  thou  be  in  steadfast  belief,  for  I  am  Faith,  and 
therefore  beware  how  thou  enterest,  for  an  thou  fail  I  shall 


354 


OF  SIR  GALAHAD 


not  help  thee.  Then  said  the  gentlewoman  :  Percivale, 
wot  ye  what  I  am  ?  Certes,  said  he,  nay,  to  my  witting. 
Wit  ye  well,  said  she,  that  I  am  thy  sister,  which  am  daughter 
of  King  Pellinore,  and  therefore  wit  ye  well  ye  are  the  man 
in  the  world  that  I  most  love  ;  and  if  ye  be  not  in  perfect 
belief  of  Jesu  Christ  enter  not  in  no  manner  of  wise,  for  then 
should  ye  perish  the  ship,  for  he  is  so  perfect  he  will  suffer 
no  sinner  in  him.  When  Percivale  understood  that  she 
was  his  very  sister  he  was  inwardly  glad,  and  said  :  Fair 
sister,  I  shall  enter  therein,  for  if  I  be  a  miscreature,  or  an 
untrue  knight,  there  shall  I  perish. 

HOW  SIR  GALAHAD,  SIR  BORS,  AND 
SIR  PERCIVALE  ENTERED  INTO  THE 
SHIP,  AND  OF  A  FAIR  BED  THEREIN, 
AND  OF  A  SWORD,  AND  OF  HOW 
KING  PELLES  HAD  BEEN  MAIMED 
FOR  DRAWING  IT.  In  the  meanwhile 
Galahad  blessed  him,  and  entered  therein  ;  and 
then  next  the  gendewoman,  and  then  Sir  Bors 
and  Sir  Percivale.  And  when  they  were  in,  it  was  so 
marvellous  fair  and  rich  that  they  marvelled  ;  and  in  midst  of 
the  ship  was  a  fair  bed,  and  Galahad  went  thereto,  and  found 
there  a  crown  of  silk.  And  at  the  feet  was  a  sword,  rich  and 
fair,  and  it  was  drawn  out  of  the  sheath  half  a  foot  and  more  ; 
and  the  sword  was  of  divers  fashions,  and  the  pommel  was 
of  stone,  and  there  was  in  him  all  manner  of  colours  that 
any  man  might  find,  and  everych  of  the  colours  had  divers 
virtues. 

Then  Galahad  beheld  the  sword  and  saw  letters  like 
blood  that  said  :  Let  see  who  shall  assay  to  draw  me  out 
of  my  sheath,  but  if  he  be  more  hardier  than  any  other  ; 


HOW  SIR  GALAHAD  GRIPPED  THE  SWORD  355 

and  who  that  draweth  me,  wit  ye  well  that  he  shall  never 
fail  of  shame  of  his  body,  or  to  be  wounded  to  the  death. 
By  my  faith,  said  Galahad,  I  would  draw  this  sword  out 
of  the  sheath,  but  the  offending  is  so  great  that  I  shall  not 
set  my  hand  thereto.  Now  sirs,  said  the  gendewoman, 
wit  ye  well  that  the  drawing  of  this  sword  is  warned  to  all 
men  save  all  only  to  you.  In  the  name  of  God,  said  Galahad, 
ye  are  right  wise  of  these  works. 

Sir,  said  she,  there  was  a  king  that  hight  Pelles,  the 
maimed  king.  And  while  he  might  ride  he  supported 
much  Christendom  and  Holy  Church.  So  upon  a  day  he 
hunted  in  a  wood  of  his  which  lasted  unto  the  sea  ;  and  at 
the  last  he  lost  his  hounds  and  his  knights  save  only  one  : 
and  there  he  and  his  knight  went  till  that  they  came  toward 
Ireland,  and  there  he  found  the  ship.  And  when  he  saw 
the  letters  and  understood  them,  yet  he  entered,  for  he  was 
right  perfect  of  his  life,  but  his  knight  had  none  hardiness 
to  enter  ;  and  there  found  he  this  sword,  and  drew  it  out 
as  much  as  ye  may  see.  So  therewith  entered  a  spear  where- 
with he  was  smitten  him  through  both  the  thighs,  and  never 
sith  might  he  be  healed,  nor  nought  shall  to-fore  we  come 
to  him.  Thus,  said  she,  was  not  King  Pelles,  your  grand- 
sire,  maimed  for  his  hardiness  ?  In  the  name  of  God, 
damosel,  said  Galahad. 

HOW  SIR  GALAHAD  GRIPPED  THE  SWORD, 
AND  OF  THE  CUSTOM  OF  A  CASTLE,  AND 
HOW  SIR  PERCIVALE'S  SISTER  BLED  A 
DISH  FULL  OF  BLOOD  FOR  TO  HEAL  A  LADY, 
WHEREFORE  SHE  DIED  ;  AND  HOW  THAT  HER 
BODY  WAS  PUT  IN  A  SHIP.  Now  let  me  begin,  said 
Galahad,  to  grip  this  sword  for  to  give  you  courage  ;    but 


356  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

wit  ye  well  it  longeth  no  more  to  me  than  it  doth  to  you. 
And  then  he  gripped  about  it  with  his  fingers  a  great  deal  ; 
and  then  she  girt  him  about  the  middle  with  the  sword. 
Now  reck  I  not  though  I  die,  for  now  I  hold  me  one  of 
the  blessed  maidens  of  the  world,  which  hath  made  the 
worthiest  knight  of  the  world.  Damosel,  said  Galahad,  ye 
have  done  so  much  that  I  shall  be  your  knight  all  the 
days  of  my  life. 

Then  they  went  from  that  ship,  and  went  to  the  other. 
And  anon  the  wind  drove  them  into  the  sea  a  great  pace,  but 
they  had  no  victuals  :  but  it  befell  that  they  came  on  the  morn 
to  a  castle,  and  passed  by.  So  there  came  a  knight  armed 
after  them  and  said  :  Lords,  hark  what  I  shall  say  to  you. 
This  gentlewoman  that  ye  lead  with  you  is  a  maid  ?  Sir,  said 
she,  a  maid  I  am.  Then  he  took  her  by  the  bridle  and  said  : 
By  the  Holy  Cross,  ye  shall  not  escape  me  to-fore  ye  have 
yolden  the  custom  of  this  castle.  Let  her  go,  said  Percivale, 
ye  be  not  wise,  for  a  maid  in  what  place  she  cometh  is  free. 
So  in  the  meanwhile  there  came  out  a  ten  or  twelve  knights 
armed,  out  of  the  castle,  and  with  them  came  gentlewomen 
which  held  a  dish  of  silver.  And  then  they  said  :  This 
gendewoman  must  yield  us  the  custom  of  this  castle.  Sir, 
said  a  knight,  what  maid  passeth  hereby  shall  give  this  dish 
full  of  blood  of  her  right  arm.  Blame  have  ye,  said  Galahad, 
that  brought  up  such  customs,  and  so  God  me  save,  I  ensure 
you  of  this  gentlewoman  ye  shall  fail  while  that  I  live.  So 
God  me  help,  said  Percivale,  I  had  liefer  be  slain.  And  I 
also,  said  Sir  Bors.  By  my  troth,  said  the  knight,  then  shall 
ye  die,  for  ye  may  not  endure  against  us  though  ye  were 
the  best  knights  of  the  world. 

Then  let  they  run  each  to  other,  and  the  three  fellows 
beat  the  ten  knights,  and  then  set  their  hands  to  their  swords 


THE  STRANGE  CUSTOM  OF  A  CASTLE   357 

and  beat  them  down  and  slew  them.  Then  there  came 
out  of  the  casde  a  three  score  knights  armed.  Fair  lords, 
said  the  three  fellows,  have  mercy  on  yourself  and  have 
not  ado  with  us.  Nay,  fair  lords,  said  the  knights  of  the 
casde,  we  counsel  you  to  withdraw  you,  for  ye  be  the  best 
knights  of  the  world,  and  therefore  do  no  more,  for  ye  have 
done  enough.  We  will  let  you  go  with  this  harm,  but  we 
must  needs  have  the  custom.  Certes,  said  Galahad,  for 
nought  speak  ye.  Well,  said  they,  will  ye  die  ?  We  be 
not  yet  come  thereto,  said  Galahad.  Then  began  they  to 
meddle  together,  and  Galahad,  with  the  strange  girdles, 
drew  his  sword,  and  smote  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the 
left  hand,  and  slew  what  that  ever  abode  him,  and  did  such 
marvels  that  there  was  none  that  saw  him  but  weened  he 
had  been  none  earthly  man,  but  a  monster.  And  his  two 
fellows  halp  him  passing  well,  and  so  they  held  the  journey 
everych  in  like  hard  till  it  was  night :  then  must  they  needs 
depart. 

So  came  in  a  good  knight,  and  said  to  the  three  fellows  : 
If  ye  will  come  in  to-night  and  take  such  harbour  as  here 
is  ye  shall  be  right  welcome,  and  we  shall  ensure  you  by 
the  faith  of  our  bodies,  and  as  we  be  true  knights,  to  leave 
you  in  such  estate  to-morrow  as  we  find  you,  without  any 
falsehood.  And  as  soon  as  ye  know  of  the  custom  we  dare 
say  ye  will  accord  therefore.  For  God's  love,  said  the 
gentlewoman,  go  thither  and  spare  not  for  me.  Go  we,  said 
Galahad  ;  and  so  they  entered  into  the  chapel.  And  when 
they  were  alighted  they  made  great  joy  of  them.  So  within 
a  while  the  three  knights  asked  the  custom  of  the  castle 
and  wherefore  it  was.  What  it  is,  said  they,  we  will  say  you 
sooth. 

There  is  in  this  casde  a  gendewoman  which  we  and  this 

2B 


358  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

castle  is  hers,  and  many  other.  So  it  befell  many  years 
agone  there  fell  upon  her  a  malady  ;  and  when  she  had 
lain  a  great  while  she  fell  unto  a  measle,  and  of  no  leech 
she  could  have  no  remedy.  But  at  the  last  an  old  man 
said  an  she  might  have  a  dish  full  of  blood  of  a  maid  and 
a  clean  virgin  in  will  and  in  work,  and  a  king's  daughter, 
that  blood  should  be  her  health,  and  for  to  anoint  her  withal  ; 
and  for  this  thing  was  this  custom  made.  Now,  said  Perci- 
vale's  sister,  fair  knights,  I  see  well  that  this  gendewoman 
is  but  dead.  Certes,  said  Galahad,  an  ye  bleed  so  much  ye 
may  die.  Truly,  said  she,  an  I  die  for  to  heal  her  I  shall 
get  me  great  worship  and  soul's  health,  and  worship  to  my 
lineage,  and  better  is  one  harm  than  twain.  And  therefore 
there  shall  be  no  more  batde,  but  to-morn  I  shall  yield  you 
your  custom  of  this  casde.  And  then  there  was  great  joy 
more  than  there  was  to-fore,  for  else  had  there  been  mortal 
war  upon  the  morn  ;  notwithstanding  she  would  none 
other,  whether  they  wold  or  nold. 

That  night  were  the  three  fellows  eased  with  the  best ; 
and  on  the  morn  they  heard  mass,  and  Sir  Percivale's  sister 
bade  bring  forth  the  sick  lady.  So  she  was,  the  which  was 
evil  at  ease.  Then  said  she  :  Who  shall  let  me  blood  ? 
So  one  came  forth  and  let  her  blood,  and  she  bled  so  much 
that  the  dish  was  full.  Then  she  lift  up  her  hand  and  blessed 
her  ;  and  then  she  said  to  the  lady  :  Madam,  I  am  come 
to  the  death  for  to  make  you  whole,  for  God's  love  pray 
for  me.  With  that  she  fell  in  a  swoon.  Then  Galahad  and 
his  two  fellows  start  up  to  her,  and  lift  her  up  and  staunched 
her,  but  she  had  bled  so  much  that  she  might  not  live.  Then 
she  said  when  she  was  awaked  :  Fair  brother  Percivale,  I 
die  for  the  healing  of  this  lady,  so  I  require  you  that  ye  bury 
me  not  in  this  country,  but  as  soon  as  I  am  dead  put  me  in 


HOW  SIR  PERCIVALE'S  SISTER  DIED    359 

a  boat  at  the  next  haven,  and  let  me  go  as  adventure  will 
lead  me  ;  and  as  soon  as  ye  three  come  to  the  City  of  Sarras, 
there  to  enchieve  the  Holy  Grail,  ye  shall  find  me  under  a 
tower  arrived,  and  there  bury  me  in  the  spiritual  place  ; 
for  I  say  you  so  much,  there  Galahad  shall  be  buried,  and 
ye  also,  in  the  same  place. 

Then  Percivale  understood  these  words,  and  granted  it 
her,  weeping.  And  then  said  a  voice  :  Lords  and  fellows, 
to-morrow  at  the  hour  of  prime  ye  three  shall  depart  everych 
from  other,  till  the  adventure  bring  you  to  the  Maimed 
King.  Then  asked  she  her  Saviour  ;  and  as  soon  as  she 
had  received  it  the  soul  departed  from  the  body.  So  the 
same  day  was  the  lady  healed,  when  she  was  anointed  withal. 
Then  Sir  Percivale  made  a  letter  of  all  that  she  had  holpen 
them  as  in  strange  adventures,  and  put  it  in  her  right  hand, 
and  so  laid  her  in  a  barge,  and  covered  it  with  black  silk  ; 
and  so  the  wind  arose,  and  drove  the  barge  from  the  land, 
and  all  knights  beheld  it  till  it  was  out  of  their  sight.  Then 
they  drew  all  to  the  castle,  and  so  forthwith  there  fell  a  sudden 
tempest  and  a  thunder,  lightning,  and  rain,  as  all  the  earth 
would  have  broken.  So  half  the  castle  turned  up-so-down. 
So  it  passed  evensong  or  the  tempest  was  ceased. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  ENTERED  INTO  THE 
SHIP  WHERE  SIR  PERCIVALE'S  SISTER 
LAY  DEAD,  AND  HOW  HE  CAME  TO  A 
CASTLE  AND  WAS  BEFORE  THE  DOOR  OF  A 
CHAMBER  WHEREIN  WAS  THE  SANGREAL. 
Now  saith  the  history,  that  when  Launcelot  was  come  to 
the  water  of  Mortoise,  as  it  is  rehearsed  before,  he  was  in 
great  peril,  and  so  he  laid  him  down  and  slept,  and  took 
the  adventure  that  God  would  send  him.     So  when  he  was 


360  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

asleep  there  came  a  vision  unto  him  and  said  :  Launcelot, 
arise  up  and  take  thine  armour,  and  enter  into  the  first 
ship  that  thou  shalt  find.  And  when  he  heard  these  words 
he  start  up  and  saw  great  clearness  about  him.  And  then 
he  lifted  up  his  hand  and  blessed  him,  and  so  took  his  arms 
and  made  him  ready  ;  and  so  by  adventure  he  came  by  a 
strand,  and  found  a  ship  the  which  was  without  sail  or  oar. 
And  as  soon  as  he  was  within  the  ship  there  he  felt  the  most 
sweetness  that  ever  he  felt,  and  he  was  fulfilled  with  all 
thing  that  he  thought  on  or  desired.  Then  he  said  :  Fair 
sweet  Father,  Jesu  Christ,  I  wot  not  in  what  joy  I  am,  for 
this  joy  passeth  all  earthly  joys  that  ever  I  was  in.  And  so 
in  this  joy  he  laid  him  down  to  the  ship's  board,  and  slept 
till  day.  And  when  he  awoke  he  found  there  a  fair  bed, 
and  therein  lying  a  gentlewoman  dead,  the  which  was  Sir 
Percivale's  sister.  And  as  Launcelot  devised  her,  he  espied 
in  her  right  hand  a  writ,  the  which  he  read,  the  which  told 
him  all  the  adventures  that  ye  have  heard  to-fore,  and  of 
what  lineage  she  was  come. 

Then  the  wind  arose,  and  drove  Launcelot  more  than  a 
month  throughout  the  sea,  where  he  slept  but  little,  but 
prayed  to  God  that  he  might  see  some  tidings  of  the  Sangreal. 
So  it  befell  on  a  night,  at  midnight,  he  arrived  afore  a  castle, 
on  the  back  side,  which  was  rich  and  fair,  and  there  was  a 
postern  opened  toward  the  sea,  and  was  open  without  any 
keeping,  save  two  lions  kept  the  entry  ;  and  the  moon  shone 
clear.  Anon  Sir  Launcelot  heard  a  voice  that  said  :  Launce- 
lot, go  out  of  this  ship  and  enter  into  the  casde,  where  thou 
shalt  see  a  great  part  of  thy  desire.  Then  he  ran  to  his 
arms,  and  so  armed  him,  and  so  went  to  the  gate  and  saw 
the  lions.  Then  set  he  hand  to  his  sword  and  drew  it.  Then 
there  came  a  dwarf  suddenly,  and  smote  him  on  the  arm 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  SANGREAL   361 

so  sore  that  the  sword  fell  out  of  his  hand.  Then  heard  he 
a  voice  say  :  O  man  of  evil  faith  and  poor  belief,  wherefore 
trowest  thou  more  on  thy  harness  than  in  thy  Maker,  for  He 
might  more  avail  thee  than  thine  armour,  in  whose  service 
thou  art  set.  Then  said  Launcelot :  Fair  Father  Jesu  Christ, 
I  thank  thee  of  Thy  great  mercy  that  Thou  reprovest 
me  of  my  misdeed  ;  now  see  I  well  that  ye  hold  me  for 
your  servant.  Then  took  he  again  his  sword  and  put  it  up 
in  his  sheath,  and  made  a  cross  in  his  forehead,  and  came 
to  the  lions,  and  they  made  semblaunt  to  do  him  harm. 
Notwithstanding  he  passed  by  them  without  hurt,  and  entered 
into  the  castle  to  the  chief  fortress,  and  there  were  they  all 
at  rest.  Then  Launcelot  entered  in  so  armed,  for  he  found 
no  gate  nor  door  but  it  was  open.  And  at  the  last  he  found 
a  chamber  whereof  the  door  was  shut,  and  he  set  his  hand 
thereto  to  have  opened  it,  but  he  might  not. 

Then  he  enforced  him  mickle  to  undo  the  door.  Then 
he  listened  and  heard  a  voice  which  sang  so  sweetly  that 
it  seemed  none  earthly  thing  ;  and  him  thought  the  voice 
said  :  Joy  and  honour  be  to  the  Father  of  Heaven.  Then 
Launcelot  kneeled  down  to-fore  the  chamber,  for  well  wist 
he  that  there  was  the  Sangreal  within  that  chamber.  Then 
said  he  :  Fair  sweet  Father,  Jesu  Christ,  if  ever  I  did  thing 
that  pleased  Thee,  Lord  for  Thy  pity  ne  have  me  not  in 
despite  for  my  sins  done  aforetime,  and  that  Thou  show 
me  something  of  that  I  seek.  And  with  that  he  saw  the 
chamber  door  open,  and  there  came  out  a  great  clearness, 
that  the  house  was  as  bright  as  all  the  torches  of  the  world 
had  been  there. 

So  came  he  to  the  chamber  door,  and  would  have  entered. 
And  anon  a  voice  said  to  him  :  Flee,  Launcelot,  and  enter 
not,  for  thou  oughtest  not  to  do  it  ;   and  if  thou  enter  thou 


362  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

shalt  for-think  it.  Then  he  withdrew  him  aback  right 
heavy.  Then  looked  he  up  in  the  midst  of  the  chamber, 
and  saw  a  table  of  silver,  and  the  Holy  Vessel,  covered  with 
red  samite,  and  many  angels  about  it,  whereof  one  held  a 
candle  of  wax  burning,  and  the  other  held  a  cross,  and  the 
ornaments  of  an  altar.  And  before  the  Holy  Vessel  he  saw 
a  good  man  clothed  as  a  priest.  And  it  seemed  that  he 
was  at  the  sacring  of  the  mass.  And  it  seemed  to  Launcelot 
that  above  the  priest's  hands  were  three  men,  whereof  the 
two  put  the  youngest  by  likeness  between  the  priest's  hands  ; 
and  so  he  lifted  it  up  right  high,  and  it  seemed  to  show  so  to 
the  people.  And  then  Launcelot  marvelled  not  a  litde,  for 
him  thought  the  priest  was  so  greatly  charged  of  the  figure 
that  him  seemed  that  he  should  fall  to  the  earth.  And  when 
he  saw  none  about  him  that  would  help  him,  then  came 
he  to  the  door  a  great  pace,  and  said  :  Fair  Father  Jesu 
Christ,  ne  take  it  for  no  sin  though  I  help  the  good  man  wjiich 
hath  great  need  of  help. 

Right  so  entered  he  into  the  chamber,  and  came 
toward  the  table  of  silver  ;  and  when  he  came  nigh  he  felt 
a  breath,  that  him  thought  it  was  intermeddled  with  fire, 
which  smote  him  so  sore  in  the  visage  that  him  thought  it 
brent  his  visage  ;  and  therewith  he  fell  to  the  earth,  and 
had  no  power  to  arise,  as  he  that  was  so  araged,  that  had 
lost  the  power  of  his  body,  and  his  hearing,  and  his  seeing. 
Then  felt  he  many  hands  about  him,  which  took  him  up 
and  bare  him  out  of  the  chamber  door,  without  any  amending 
of  his  swoon,  and  left  him  there,  seeming  dead  to  all  people. 

So  upon  the  morrow  when  it  was  fair  day  they  within 
were  arisen,  and  found  Launcelot  lying  afore  the  chamber 
door.  All  they  marvelled  how  that  he  came  in,  and  so 
they  looked  upon  him,  and  felt  his  pulse  to  wit  whether 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  LAY  IN  A  TRANCE   363 

there  were  any  life  in  him  ;  and  so  they  found  life  in  him, 
but  he  might  not  stand  nor  stir  no  member  that  he  had. 
And  so  they  took  him  by  every  part  of  the  body,  and  bare 
him  into  a  chamber,  and  laid  him  in  a  rich  bed,  far  from 
all  folk  ;  and  so  he  lay  four  days.  Then  the  one  said  he 
was  alive,  and  the  other  said,  Nay.  In  the  name  of  God, 
said  an  old  man,  for  I  do  you  verily  to  wit  he  is  not  dead, 
but  he  is  so  full  of  life  as  the  mightiest  of  you  all  ;  and 
therefore  I  counsel  you  that  he  be  well  kept  till  God  send 
him  life  again. 

HOW  AFTER  THAT  SIR  LAUNCELOT 
HAD  LAIN  FOUR-AND-TWENTY  DAYS 
AND  NIGHTS  AS  A  DEAD  MAN,  IT  WAS 
TOLD  HIM  THAT  HE  HAD  ACHIEVED 
ALL  HE  MIGHT  OF  THE  QUEST  OF 
THE  SANGREAL,  AND  HE  RETURNED 
TO  KING  ARTHUR'S  COURT.  In  such  manner  they 
kept  Launcelot  four-and-twenty  days  and  all  so  many  nights, 
that  ever  he  lay  still  as  a  dead  man  ;  and  at  the  twenty-fifth 
day  befell  him  after  midday  that  he  opened  his  eyes.  And 
when  he  saw  folk  he  made  great  sorrow,  and  said  :  Why 
have  ye  awaked  me,  for  I  was  more  at  ease  than  I  am  now. 
O  Jesu  Christ,  who  might  be  so  blessed  that  might  see  openly 
thy  great  marvels  of  secretness  there  where  no  sinner  may 
be  !  What  have  ye  seen  ?  said  they  about  him.  I  have 
seen,  said  he,  so  great  marvels  that  no  tongue  may  tell,  and 
more  than  any  heart  can  think. 

Then  they  told  him  how  he  had  lain  there  four-and- 
twenty  days  and  nights.  Then  him  thought  it  was  punish- 
ment for  the  four-and-twenty  years  that  he  had  been  a 
sinner,  wherefore  Our  Lord  put  him  in  penance  four-and- 


364  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

twenty  days  and  nights.  Then  looked  Sir  Launcelot  afore 
him,  and  saw  the  hair  which  he  had  borne  nigh  a  year,  for 
that  he  for-thought  him  right  much  that  he  had  broken 
his  promise  unto  the  hermit,  which  he  had  avowed  to  do. 
Then  they  asked  how  it  stood  with  him.  Forsooth,  said 
he,  I  am  whole  of  body,  thanked  be  Our  Lord  ;  therefore, 
sirs,  for  God's  love  tell  me  where  I  am.  Then  said  they 
all  that  he  was  in  the  casde  of  Carbonek. 

Therewith  came  a  gentlewoman  and  brought  him  a 
shirt  of  small  linen  cloth,  but  he  changed  not  there,  but 
took  the  hair  to  him  again.  Sir,  said  they,  the  quest  of  the 
Sangreal  is  achieved  now  right  in  you,  that  never  shall  ye 
see  of  the  Sangreal  no  more  than  ye  have  seen.  Now  I 
thank  God,  said  Launcelot,  of  His  great  mercy  of  that  I 
have  seen,  for  it  sufficeth  me  ;  for  as  I  suppose  no  man  in 
this  world  hath  lived  better  than  I  have  done  to  enchieve 
that  I  have  done.  And  therewith  he  took  the  hair  and 
clothed  him  in  it,  and  above  that  he  put  a  linen  shirt,  and 
after  a  robe  of  scarlet,  fresh  and  new.  And  when  he  was 
so  arrayed  they  marvelled  all,  for  they  knew  him  that  he  was 
Launcelot,  the  good  knight.  And  then  they  said  all  :  O 
my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  be  that  ye  ?  And  he  said  :  Truly 
I  am  he. 

Then  came  word  to  King  Pelles  that  the  knight  that 
had  lain  so  long  dead  was  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  was  the 
king  right  glad,  and  went  to  see  him.  And  when  Launce- 
lot saw  him  come  he  dressed  him  against  him,  and  there 
made  the  king  great  joy  of  him.  And  there  the  king  told 
him  tidings  that  his  fair  daughter  was  dead.  Then  Launce- 
lot was  right  heavy  of  it,  and  said  :  Sir,  me  forthinketh 
the  death  of  your  daughter,  for  she  was  a  full  fair  lady, 
fresh  and  young.     And  well  I  wot  she  bare  the  best  knight 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  CAME  TO  CAMELOT   365 

that  is  now  on  the  earth,  or  that  ever  was  sith  God  was  born. 
So  the  king  held  him  there  four  days,  and  on  the  morrow 
he  took  his  leave  at  King  Pelles  and  at  all  the  fellowship, 
and  thanked  them  of  their  great  labour. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  departed,  and  took  his  arms,  and  said 
he  would  go  see  the  realm  of  Logris,  which  I  have  not  seen 
in  twelve  months.  And  therewith  he  commended  the 
king  to  God,  and  so  rode  through  many  realms.  And  at 
the  last  he  came  to  a  white  abbey,  and  there  they  made  him 
that  night  great  cheer  ;  and  on  the  morn  he  rose  and  heard 
mass.  And  afore  an  altar  he  found  a  rich  tomb,  which  was 
newly  made  ;  and  then  he  took  heed,  and  saw  the  sides 
written  with  gold  which  said  :  Here  lieth  King  Bagdemagus 
of  Gore,  which  King  Arthur's  nephew  slew  ;  and  named 
him,  Sir  Gawaine.  Then  was  not  he  a  litde  sorry,  for 
Launcelot  loved  him  much  more  than  any  other,  and  had 
it  been  any  other  than  Gawaine  he  should  not  have  escaped 
from  death  to  life  ;  and  said  to  himself :  Ah  Lord  God, 
this  is  a  great  hurt  unto  King  Arthur's  court,  the  loss  of  such 
a  man.  And  then  he  departed  and  came  to  the  abbey  where 
Galahad  won  the  white  shield  with  the  red  cross  ;  and  there 
had  he  great  cheer  all  that  night. 

And  on  the  morn  he  turned  unto  Camelot,  where  he 
found  King  Arthur  and  the  queen.  But  many  of  the 
knights  of  the  Round  Table  were  slain  and  destroyed,  more 
than  half.  And  all  the  court  was  passing  glad  of  Sir  Launce- 
lot, and  the  king  asked  him  many  tidings  of  his  son  Galahad. 
And  there  Launcelot  told  the  king  of  his  adventures  that 
had  befallen  him  since  he  departed.  And  also  he  told  him 
of  the  adventures  of  Galahad,  Percivale,  and  Bors,  which 
that  he  knew  by  the  letter  of  the  dead  damosel,  and  as 
Galahad  had  told  him.     Now  God  would,  said  the  king, 


366  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

that  they  were  all  three  here.  That  shall  never  be,  said 
Launcelot,  for  two  of  them  shall  ye  never  see,  but  one  of 
them  shall  come  again. 

Now  leave  we  this  story  and  speak  of  Galahad. 

HOW    GALAHAD    CAME    TO    KING    MOR- 
DRAINS,  AND  HOW  SIR  PERCIVALE  AND 
SIR    BORS   MET    WITH    HIM,   AND    HOW 
THEY  CAME  TO  THE  CASTLE  OF  CARBONEK. 

Now,  saith  the  story,  Galahad  rode  many  journeys  in  vain. 
And  at  the  last  he  came  to  the  abbey  where  King  Mordrains 
was,  and  when  he  heard  that,  he  thought  he  would  abide 
to  see  him.  And  upon  the  morn,  when  he  had  heard  mass, 
Galahad  came  unto  King  Mordrains,  and  anon  the  king 
saw  him,  the  which  had  lain  blind  of  long  time.  And  then 
he  dressed  him  against  him,  and  said  :  Galahad,  the  servant 
of  Jesu  Christ,  whose  coming  I  have  abiden  so  long,  now 
embrace  me  and  let  me  rest  on  thy  breast,  so  that  I  may 
rest  between  thine  arms,  for  thou  art  a  clean  virgin  above 
all  knights,  as  the  flower  of  the  lily  in  whom  virginity  is 
signified,  and  thou  art  the  rose  the  which  is  the  flower  of  all 
good  virtues,  and  in  colour  of  fire.  For  the  fire  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  is  taken  so  in  thee  that  my  flesh  which  was  all  dead  of 
oldness  is  become  young  again.  When  Galahad  heard  his 
words,  then  he  embraced  him  and  all  his  body.  Then  said 
he  :  Fair  Lord  Jesu  Christ,  now  I  have  my  will.  Now  I 
require  thee,  in  this  point  that  I  am  in,  thou  come  and  visit 
me.  And  anon  Our  Lord  heard  his  prayer  :  therewith  the 
soul  departed  from  the  body. 

And  then  Galahad  put  him  in  the  earth  as  a  king  ought 
to  be,  and  so  departed  and  rode  till  that  he  came  to  the 
Maimed  King.     And  ever  followed  Percivale,  asking  where 


OF  PERCIVALE,  BORS,  AND  GALAHAD   367 

he  had  been.  So  on  a  day  it  befell  that  they  came  out  of  a 
great  forest,  and  there  they  met  at  traverse  with  Sir  Bors, 
the  which  rode  alone.  It  is  none  need  to  tell  if  they  were 
glad  ;  and  them  he  saluted,  and  they  yielded  him  honour 
and  good  adventure,  and  everych  told  other.  Then  said 
Bors  :  It  is  mo  than  a  year  and  an  half  that  I  ne  lay  ten  times 
where  men  dwelled,  but  in  wild  forests  and  in  mountains, 
but  God  was  ever  my  comfort. 

Then  rode  they  a  great  while  till  that  they  came  to  the 
castle  of  Carbonek.  And  when  they  were  entered  within 
the  castle  King  Pelles  knew  them  ;  then  there  was  great 
joy,  for  they  wist  well  by  their  coming  that  they  had  fulfilled 
the  quest  of  the  Sangreal.  Then  Eliazar,  King  Pelles' 
son,  brought  to-fore  them  the  broken  sword  wherewith 
Joseph  was  stricken  through  the  thigh.  Then  Bors  set  his 
hand  thereto,  if  that  he  might  have  soldered  it  again  ;  but 
it  would  not  be.  Then  he  took  it  to  Percivale,  but  he  had 
no  more  power  thereto  than  he.  Now  have  ye  it  again, 
said  Percivale  to  Galahad,  for  an  it  be  ever  enchieved  by  any 
bodily  man  ye  must  do  it.  And  then  he  took  the  pieces 
and  set  them  together,  and  they  seemed  that  they  had  never 
been  broken,  and  as  well  as  it  had  been  first  forged.  And 
when  they  within  espied  that  the  adventure  of  the  sword 
was  enchieved,  then  they  gave  the  sword  to  Bors,  for  it 
might  not  be  better  set  ;  for  he  was  a  good  knight  and  a 
worthy  man. 

And  a  litde  afore  even  the  sword  arose  great  and  mar- 
vellous, and  was  full  of  great  heat  that  many  men  fell  for 
dread.  And  anon  alighted  a  voice  among  them,  and  said  : 
They  that  ought  not  to  sit  at  the  table  of  Jesu  Christ  arise, 
for  now  shall  very  knights  be  fed.  So  they  went  thence, 
all  save  King  Pelles  and  Eliazar,  his  son,  the  which  were 


368  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

holy  men,  and  a  maid  which  was  his  niece  ;  and  so  these 
three  fellows  and  they  three  were  there,  no  mo.  Anon 
they  saw  knights  all  armed  came  in  at  the  hall  door,  and  did 
off  their  helms  and  their  arms,  and  said  unto  Galahad  :  Sir, 
we  have  hied  right  much  for  to  be  with  you  at  this  table 
where  the  holy  meat  shall  be  departed.  Then  said  he  : 
Ye  be  welcome,  but  of  whence  be  ye  ?  So  three  of  them 
said  they  were  of  Gaul,  and  other  three  said  they  were  of 
Ireland,  and  the  other  three  said  they  were  of  Denmark. 
So  as  they  sat  thus  there  came  out  a  bed  of  tree,  of  a  chamber, 
the  which  four  gentlewomen  brought ;  and  in  the  bed  lay 
a  good  man  sick,  and  a  crown  of  gold  upon  his  head  ;  and 
there  in  the  midst  of  the  place  they  set  him  down,  and 
went  again  their  way.  Then  he  lifted  up  his  head,  and  said  : 
Galahad,  Knight,  ye  be  welcome,  for  much  have  I  desired 
your  coming,  for  in  such  pain  and  in  such  anguish  I  have 
been  long.  But  now  I  trust  to  God  the  term  is  come  that 
my  pain  shall  be  allayed,  that  I  shall  pass  out  of  this  world 
so  as  it  was  promised  me  long  ago.  Therewith  a  voice  said  : 
There  be  two  among  you  that  be  not  in  the  quest  of  the 
Sangreal,  and  therefore  depart  ye. 

IHOW  GALAHAD  AND  HIS  FELLOWS 
WEREFEDOFTHEHOLYSANGREAL, 
(AND  HOW  OUR  LORD  APPEARED 
<TO  THEM,  AND  HOW  GALAHAD 
ANOINTED  THE  MAIMED  KING,  AND  HOW 
THEY  DEPARTED  AND  TOOK  SHIP  AND  CAME 
TO  THE  CITY  OF  SARRAS,  AND  FOUND  THERE 
THE  SHIP  WITH  THE  BODY  OF  PERCIVALE'S 
SISTER.  Then  King  Pelles  and  his  son  departed.  And 
therewithal  beseemed  them  that  there  came  a  man,  and  four 


OF  SIR  GALAHAD  AND  HIS  FELLOWS   369 

angels  from  heaven,  clothed  in  likeness  of  a  bishop,  and  had  a 
cross  in  his  hand  ;  and  these  four  angels  bare  him  up  in  a 
chair,  and  set  him  down  before  the  table  of  silver  where- 
upon the  Sangreal  was  ;  and  it  seemed  that  he  had  in  midst 
of  his  forehead  letters  the  which  said  :  See  ye  here  Joseph, 
the  first  bishop  of  Christendom,  the  same  which  Our  Lord 
succoured  in  the  city  of  S  arras  in  the  spiritual  place.  Then 
the  knights  marvelled,  for  that  bishop  was  dead  more  than 
three  hundred  year  to-fore.  O  knights,  said  he,  marvel 
not,  for  I  was  sometime  an  earthly  man.  With  that  they 
heard  the  chamber  door  open,  and  there  they  saw  angels  ; 
and  two  bare  candles  of  wax,  and  the  third  a  towel,  and  the 
fourth  a  spear  which  bled  marvellously,  that  three  drops 
fell  within  a  box  which  he  held  with  his  other  hand.  And 
they  set  the  candles  upon  the  table,  and  the  third  the  towel 
upon  the  vessel,  and  die  fourth  the  holy  spear  even  upright 
upon  the  vessel.  And  then  the  bishop  made  semblaunt 
as  though  he  would  have  gone  to  the  sacring  of  the  mass. 
And  then  he  took  an  ubblie  which  was  made  in  likeness  of 
bread.  And  at  the  lifting  up  there  came  a  figure  in  likeness 
of  a  child,  and  the  visage  was  as  red  and  as  bright  as  any 
fire,  and  smote  himself  into  the  bread,  so  that  they  all  saw 
it  that  the  bread  was  formed  of  a  fleshly  man  ;  and  then  he 
put  it  into  the  Holy  Vessel  again,  and  then  he  did  that 
longed  to  a  priest  to  do  to  a  mass.  And  then  he  went  to 
Galahad  and  kissed  him,  and  bade  him  go  and  kiss  his 
fellows  :  and  so  he  did  anon.  Now,  said  he,  servants  of 
Jesu  Christ,  ye  shall  be  fed  afore  this  table  with  sweet  meats 
that  never  knights  tasted.  And  when  he  had  said,  he 
vanished  away.  And  they  set  them  at  the  table  in  great 
dread,  and  made  their  prayers. 

Then  looked  they  and  saw  a  man  come  out  of  the  Holy 


37o  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

Vessel,  that  had  all  the  signs  of  the  passion  of  Jesu  Christ, 
bleeding  all  openly,  and  said  :  My  knights,  and  my  servants, 
and  my  true  children,  which  be  come  out  of  deadly  life  into 
spiritual  life,  I  will  now  no  longer  hide  me  from  you,  but  ye 
shall  see  now  a  part  of  my  secrets  and  of  my  hidden  things  : 
now  hold  and  receive  the  high  meat  which  ye  have  so  much 
desired.  Then  took  he  himself  the  Holy  Vessel  and  came 
to  Galahad  ;  and  he  kneeled  down,  and  there  he  received 
his  Saviour,  and  after  him  so  received  all  his  fellows  ;  and 
they  thought  it  so  sweet  that  it  was  marvellous  to  tell.  Then 
said  he  to  Galahad  :  Son,  wottest  thou  what  I  hold  betwixt 
my  hands  ?  Nay,  said  he,  but  if  ye  will  tell  me.  This  is, 
said  he,  the  holy  dish  wherein  I  ate  the  lamb  on  Sheer- 
Thursday.  And  now  hast  thou  seen  that  thou  most  desired 
to  see,  but  yet  hast  thou  not  seen  it  so  openly  as  thou  shalt 
see  it  in  the  city  of  Sarras  in  the  spiritual  place.  Therefore 
thou  must  go  hence  and  bear  with  thee  this  Holy  Vessel  ; 
for  this  night  it  shall  depart  from  the  realm  of  Logris,  that 
it  shall  never  be  seen  more  here.  And  wottest  thou  where- 
fore ?  For  he  is  not  served  nor  worshipped  to  his  right  by 
them  of  this  land,  for  they  be  turned  to  evil  living  ;  therefore 
I  shall  disherit  them  of  the  honour  which  I  have  done  them. 
And  therefore  go  ye  three  to-morrow  unto  the  sea,  where 
ye  shall  find  your  ship  ready,  and  with  you  take  the  sword 
with  the  strange  girdles,  and  no  more  with  you  but  Sir 
Percivale  and  Sir  Bors.  Also  I  will  that  ye  take  with  you 
of  the  blood  of  this  spear  for  to  anoint  the  Maimed  King, 
both  his  legs  and  all  his  body,  and  he  shall  have  his  health. 
Sir,  said  Galahad,  why  shall  not  these  other  fellows  go  with 
us  ?  For  this  cause  :  for  right  as  I  departed  my  apostles 
one  here  and  another  there,  so  I  will  that  ye  depart ;  and 
two  of  you  shall  die  in  my  service,  but  one  of  you  shall 


SIR  GALAHAD  ANOINTS  THE  KING     371 

come  again  and  tell  tidings.  Then  gave  he  them  his  blessing 
and  vanished  away. 

And  Galahad  went  anon  to  the  spear  which  lay  upon  the 
table,  and  touched  the  blood  with  his  fingers,  and  came 
after  to  the  Maimed  King  and  anointed  his  legs.  And 
therewith  he  clothed  him  anon,  and  started  upon  his  feet  out 
of  his  bed  as  an  whole  man,  and  thanked  Our  Lord  that 
He  had  healed  him.  And  that  was  not  to  the  worldward, 
for  anon  he  yielded  him  to  a  place  of  religion  of  white  monks, 
and  was  a  full  holy  man.  That  same  night  about  midnight 
came  a  voice  among  them  which  said  :  My  sons  and  not 
my  chief  sons,  my  friends  and  not  my  warriors,  go  ye  hence 
where  ye  hope  best  to  do  and  as  I  bade  you.  And  anon  in 
all  haste  they  took  their  harness  and  departed.  But  the 
three  knights  of  Gaul,  one  of  them  hight  Claudine,  King 
Claudas'  son,  and  the  other  two  were  great  gentlemen. 
Then  prayed  Galahad  to  everych  of  them,  that  if  they 
come  to  King  Arthur's  court  that  they  should  salute  my 
lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  my  father,  and  all  the  fellowship  of 
the  Round  Table  ;  and  prayed  them  if  that  they  came  on 
that  part  that  they  should  not  forget  it. 

Right  so  departed  Galahad,  Percivale  and  Bors  with 
him  ;  and  so  they  rode  three  days,  and  then  they  came  to 
a  rivage,  and  found  the  ship  whereof  the  tale  speaketh  of 
to-fore.  And  when  they  came  to  the  board  they  found  in 
the  midst  the  table  of  silver  which  they  had  left  with  the 
Maimed  King,  and  the  Sangreal  which  was  covered  with 
red  samite.  Then  were  they  glad  to  have  such  things  in 
their  fellowship  ;  and  so  they  entered  and  made  great 
reverence  thereto  ;  and  Galahad  fell  in  his  prayer  long 
time  to  Our  Lord,  that  at  what  time  he  asked,  that  he  should 
pass  out  of  this  world.     So  much  he  prayed  till  a  voice  said 


372  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

to  him  :  Galahad,  thou  shalt  have  thy  request ;  and  when 
thou  askest  the  death  of  thy  body  thou  shalt  have  it,  and  then 
shalt  thou  find  the  life  of  the  soul.  Percivale  heard  this, 
and  prayed  him,  of  fellowship  that  was  between  them,  to 
tell  him  wherefore  he  asked  such  things.  That  shall  I  tell 
you,  said  Galahad  ;  the  other  day  when  we  saw  a  part  of 
the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal  I  was  in  such  a  joy  of  heart, 
that  I  trow  never  man  was  that  was  earthly.  And  therefore 
I  wot  well,  when  my  body  is  dead  my  soul  shall  be  in  great 
joy  to  see  the  blessed  Trinity  every  day,  and  the  majesty 
of  Our  Lord,  Jesu  Christ. 

So  long  were  they  in  the  ship  that  they  said  to  Galahad  : 
Sir,  in  this  bed  ought  ye  to  lie,  for  so  saith  the  scripture. 
And  so  he  laid  him  down  and  slept  a  great  while  ;  and 
when  he  awaked  he  looked  afore  him  and  saw  the  city  of 
Sarras.  And  as  they  would  have  landed  they  saw  the  ship 
wherein  Percivale  had  put  his  sister  in.  Truly,  said  Perci- 
vale, in  the  name  of  God,  well  hath  my  sister  holden  us 
covenant;  Then  took  they  out  of  the  ship  the  table  of 
silver,  and  he  took  it  to  Percivale  and  to  Bors,  to  go  to-fore, 
and  Galahad  came  behind.  And  right  so  they  went  to  the 
city,  and  at  the  gate  of  the  city  they  saw  an  old  man  crooked. 
Then  Galahad  called  him  and  bade  him  help  to  bear  this 
heavy  thing.  Truly,  said  the  old  man,  it  is  ten  year  ago 
that  I  might  not  go  but  with  crutches.  Care  thou  not,  said 
Galahad,  and  arise  up  and  shew  thy  good  will.  And  so 
he  assayed,  and  found  himself  as  whole  as  ever  he  was.  Then 
ran  he  to  the  table,  and  took  one  part  against  Galahad. 
And  anon  arose  there  great  noise  in  the  city,  that  a  cripple 
was  made  whole  by  knights  marvellous  that  entered  into  the 
city. 


HOW  SIR  GALAHAD  WAS  MADE  KING   373 

HOW  THEY  BURIED  PERCIVALE'S  SISTER 
AND  WERE  PUT  IN  PRISON  BY  THE  KING 
OF  THE  CITY,  AND  HOW  THEY  WERE  FED 
WITH  THE  SANGREAL  AND  HOW  GALAHAD  WAS 
MADE  KING,  AND  HOW  GALAHAD  AND  PERCI- 
VALE  DIED.  Then  anon  after,  the  three  knights  went 
to  the  water,  and  brought  up  into  the  palace  Percivale's 
sister,  and  buried  her  as  richly  as  a  king's  daughter  ought 
to  be.  And  when  the  king  of  the  city,  which  was  cleped 
Estorause,  saw  the  fellowship,  he  asked  them  of  whence 
they  were,  and  what  thing  it  was  that  they  had  brought 
upon  the  table  of  silver.  And  they  told  him  the  truth 
of  the  Sangreal,  and  the  power  which  that  God  had  sent 
there.  Then  the  king  was  a  tyrant,  and  was  come  of  the 
line  of  paynims,  and  took  them  and  put  them  in  prison  in 
a  deep  hole. 

But  as  soon  as  they  were  there  Our  Lord  sent  them  the 
Sangreal,  through  whose  grace  they  were  always  fulfilled 
while  that  they  were  in  prison.  So  at  the  year's  end  it 
befell  that  this  King  Estorause  lay  sick,  and  felt  that  he 
should  die.  Then  he  sent  for  the  three  knights,  and  they 
came  afore  him  ;  and  he  cried  them  mercy  of  that  he  had 
done  to  them,  and  they  forgave  it  him  goodly  ;  and  he  died 
anon.  When  the  king  was  dead  all  the  city  was  dismayed, 
and  wist  not  who  might  be  their  king.  Right  so  as  they 
were  in  counsel  there  came  a  voice  among  them,  and  bade 
them  choose  the  youngest  knight  of  them  three  to  be  their 
king  :  For  he  shall  well  maintain  you  and  all  yours.  So 
they  made  Galahad  king  by  all  the  assent  of  the  holy  city, 
and  else  they  would  have  slain  him.  And  when  he  was 
come  to  behold  the  land,  he  let  make  above  the  table  of 
silver  a  chest  of  gold  and  of  precious  stones,  that  covered  the 

2C 


374  OF  SIR  GALAHAD 

Holy  Vessel.  And  every  day  early  the  three  fellows  would 
come  afore  it,  and  make  their  prayers. 

Now  at  the  year's  end,  and  the  self  day  after  Galahad 
had  borne  the  crown  of  gold,  he  arose  up  early  and  his 
fellows,  and  came  to  the  palace,  and  saw  to-fore  them  the 
Holy  Vessel,  and  a  man  kneeling  on  his  knees  in  likeness 
of  a  bishop,  that  had  about  him  a  great  fellowship  of  angels, 
as  it  had  been  Jesu  Christ  himself ;  and  then  he  arose  and 
began  a  mass  of  Our  Lady.  And  when  he  came  to  the 
sacrament  of  the  mass,  and  had  done,  anon  he  called  Gala- 
had, and  said  to  him  :  Come  forth  the  servant  of  Jesu  Christ, 
and  thou  shalt  see  that  thou  hast  much  desired  to  see.  And 
then  he  began  to  tremble  right  hard  when  the  deadly  flesh 
began  to  behold  the  spiritual  things.  Then  he  held  up  his 
hands  toward  heaven  and  said  :  Lord,  I  thank  thee,  for  now 
I  see  that  that  hath  been  my  desire  many  a  day.  Now, 
blessed  Lord,  would  I  not  longer  live,  if  it  might  please 
thee,  Lord.  And  therewith  the  good  man  took  Our  Lord's 
body  betwixt  his  hands,  and  proffered  it  to  Galahad,  and 
he  received  it  right  gladly  and  meekly.  Now  wottest  thou 
what  I  am  ?  said  the  good  man.  Nay,  said  Galahad.  I  am 
Joseph  of  Aramathie,  the  which  Our  Lord  hath  sent  here  to 
thee  to  bear  thee  fellowship  ;  and  wottest  thou  wherefore 
that  he  hath  sent  me  more  than  any  other  ?  For  thou  hast 
resembled  me  in  two  things  ;  in  that  thou  hast  seen  the 
marvels  of  the  Sangreal,  in  that  thou  hast  been  a  clean 
maiden,  as  I  have  been  and  am. 

And  when  he  had  said  these  words  Galahad  went  to 
Percivale  and  kissed  him,  and  commended  him  to  God  ;  and 
so  he  went  to  Sir  Bors  and  kissed  him,  and  commended  him 
to  God,  and  said  :  Fair  lord,  salute  me  to  my  lord,  Sir 
Launcelot,  my  father,  and  as  soon  as  ye  see  him,  bid  him 


OF  THE  DEATH  OF  SIR  GALAHAD       375 

remember  of  this  unstable  world.  And  therewith  he  kneeled 
down  to -fore  the  table  and  made  his  prayers,  and  then 
suddenly  his  soul  departed  to  Jesu  Christ,  and  a  great  multi- 
tude of  angels  bare  his  soul  up  to  heaven,  that  the  two  fellows 
might  well  behold  it.  Also  the  two  fellows  saw  come  from 
heaven  an  hand,  but  they  saw  not  the  body.  And  then  it 
came  right  to  the  vessel,  and  took  it  and  the  spear,  and  so 
bare  it  up  to  heaven.  Sithen  was  there  never  man  so  hardy 
to  say  that  he  had  seen  the  Sangreal. 

When  Percivale  and  Bors  saw  Galahad  dead  they  made 
as  much  sorrow  as  ever  did  two  men.  And  if  they  had 
not  been  good  men  they  might  lightly  have  fallen  in  despair. 
And  the  people  of  the  country  and  of  the  city  were  right 
heavy.  And  then  he  was  buried  ;  and  as  soon  as  he  was 
buried  Sir  Percivale  yielded  him  to  an  hermitage  out  of  the 
city,  and  took  a  religious  clothing.  And  Bors  was  alway 
with  him,  but  never  changed  he  his  secular  clothing,  for 
that  he  purposed  him  to  go  again  into  the  realm  of  Logris. 
Thus  a  year  and  two  months  lived  Sir  Percivale  in  the 
hermitage  a  full  holy  life,  and  then  passed  out  of  this  world  ; 
and  Bors  let  bury  him  by  his  sister  and  by  Galahad  in  the 
spiritualities. 

When  Bors  saw  that  he  was  in  so  far  countries  as  in  the 
parts  of  Babylon  he  departed  from  Sarras,  and  armed  him 
and  came  to  the  sea,  and  entered  into  a  ship  ;  and  so  it 
befell  him  in  good  adventure  he  came  into  the  realm  of 
Logris  ;  and  he  rode  so  fast  till  he  came  to  Camelot  where 
the  king  was.  And  then  was  there  great  joy  made  of  him 
in  the  court,  for  they  weened  all  he  had  been  dead,  foras- 
much as  he  had  been  so  long  out  of  the  country.  And 
when  they  had  eaten,  the  king  made  great  clerks  to  come 
afore  him,  that  they  should  chronicle  of  the  high  adven- 


376 


OF  SIR  GALAHAD 


tures  of  the  good  knights.  When  Bors  had  told  him  of 
the  adventures  of  the  Sangreal,  such  as  had  befallen  him 
and  his  three  fellows,  that  was  Launcelot,  Percivale,  Gala- 
had, and  himself,  there  Launcelot  told  the  adventures  of 
the  Sangreal  that  he  had  seen.  All  this  was  made  in  great 
books,  and  put  up  in  almeries  at  Salisbury.  And  anon  Sir 
Bors  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Galahad,  your  own  son,  saluted 
you  by  me,  and  after  you  King  Arthur  and  all  the  court, 
and  so  did  Sir  Percivale,  for  I  buried  them  with  mine  own 
hands  in  the  city  of  S  arras.  Also,  Sir  Launcelot,  Galahad 
prayed  you  to  remember  of  this  unsiker  world.  Now  I  trust 
to  God,  said  Launcelot,  his  prayer  shall  avail  me. 


OF    LAUNCELOT,    GUENEVER,    AND 
KING    ARTHUR 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  FELL  TO  HIS 
OLD  LOVE  AGAIN,  BUT  WITHDREW 
HIM  FROM  GUENEVER  TO  ESCHEW 
SLANDER,  AND  HOW  THE  QUEEN 
COMMANDED  HIM  TO  AVOID  THE 
COURT.  So  after  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal 
was  fulfilled,  and  all  knights  that  were  left  alive 
were  come  again  unto  the  Table  Round,  as  the 
book  of  the  Sangreal  maketh  mention,  then  was 
there  great  joy  in  the  court ;  and  in  especial  King  Arthur  and 
Queen  Guenever  made  great  joy  of  the  remnant  that  were 
come  home,  and  passing  glad  was  the  king  and  the  queen 
of  Sir  Launcelot  and  of  Sir  Bors,  for  they  had  been  passing 
long  away  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangreal. 

Then,  as  the  book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  began  to  resort 
unto  Queen  Guenever  again,  and  forgat  the  promise  and 
the  perfection  that  he  made  in  the  quest,  and  so  they  loved 
together  more  hotter  than  they  did  to-forehand,  that  many 
in  the  court  spake  of  it,  and  in  especial  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir 
Gawaine's  brother,  for  he  was  ever  open-mouthed. 

So  befell  that  Sir  Launcelot  had  many  resorts  of  ladies 
and  damosels  that  daily  resorted  unto  him,  that  besought 

377 


378   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

him  to  be  their  champion,  and  in  all  such  matters  of  right 
Sir  Launcelot  applied  him  daily  to  do  for  the  pleasure  of 
Our  Lord,  Jesu  Christ.  And  ever  as  much  as  he  might 
he  withdrew  him  from  the  company  and  fellowship  of 
Queen  Guenever,  for  to  eschew  the  slander  and  noise  ; 
wherefore  the  queen  waxed  wroth  with  Sir  Launcelot.  And 
upon  a  day  she  called  Sir  Launcelot  unto  her  chamber,  and 
said  thus :  Sir  Launcelot,  I  see  and  feel  daily  that  thy  love 
beginneth  to  slake,  for  thou  hast  no  joy  to  be  in  my  presence, 
but  ever  thou  art  out  of  this  court,  and  quarrels  and  matters 
thou  hast  nowadays  for  ladies  and  gentlewomen  more  than 
ever  thou  wert  wont  to  have  aforehand. 

Ah  madam,  said  Launcelot,  in  this  ye  must  hold  me 
excused  for  divers  causes  ;  one  is,  I  was  but  late  in  the 
quest  of  the  Sangreal  ;  and  I  thank  God  of  his  great  mercy, 
and  never  of  my  desert,  that  I  saw  in  that  my  quest  as  much 
as  ever  saw  any  sinful  man,  and  so  was  it  told  me.  And  if 
I  had  not  had  my  privy  thoughts  to  return  to  your  love 
again  as  I  do,  I  had  seen  as  great  mysteries  as  ever  saw  my 
son  Galahad,  outher  Percivale,  or  Sir  Bors  ;  and  therefore, 
madam,  I  was  but  late  in  that  quest.  Wit  ye  well,  madam, 
it  may  not  be  yet  lightly  forgotten  the  high  service  in  whom 
I  did  my  diligent  labour.  Also,  madam,  wit  ye  well  that 
there  be  many  men  speak  of  our  love  in  this  court,  and  have 
you  and  me  greatly  in  await,  as  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mor- 
dred  ;  and  madam,  wit  ye  well  I  dread  them  more  for  your 
sake  than  for  any  fear  I  have  of  them  myself,  for  I  may  happen 
to  escape  and  rid  myself  in  a  great  need,  where  ye  must 
abide  all  that  will  be  said  unto  you.  And  then  if  that  ye 
fall  in  any  distress  through  wilful  folly,  then  is  there  none 
other  remedy  or  help  but  by  me  and  my  blood.  And  wit 
ye  well,  madam,  the  boldness  of  you  and  me  will  bring  us 


OF  THE  QUEEN  AND  SIR  LAUNCELOT   379 

to  great  shame  and  slander ;  and  that  were  me  loath,  to  see 
you  dishonoured.  And  that  is  the  cause  I  take  upon  me 
more  for  to  do  for  damosels  and  maidens  than  ever  I  did 
to-fore,  that  men  should  understand  my  joy  and  my  delight 
is  my  pleasure  to  have  ado  for  damosels  and  maidens. 

All  this  while  the  queen  stood  still  and  let  Sir  Launcelot 
say  what  he  would.  And  when  he  had  all  said  she  brast 
out  a-weeping,  and  so  she  sobbed  and  wept  a  great  while. 
And  when  she  might  speak  she  said  :  Launcelot,  now  I 
well  understand  that  thou  art  a  false  recreant  knight 
and  lovest  and  holdest  other  ladies,  and  by  me  thou  hast 
disdain  and  scorn.  For  wit  thou  well,  she  said,  now  I 
understand  thy  falsehood,  and  therefore  shall  I  never  love 
thee  no  more.  And  never  be  thou  so  hardy  to  come  in  my 
sight ;  and  right  here  I  discharge  thee  this  court,  that  thou 
never  come  within  it ;  and  I  forfend  thee  my  fellowship, 
and  upon  pain  of  thy  head  that  thou  see  me  no  more. 
Right  so  Sir  Launcelot  departed  with  great  heaviness,  that 
unnethe  he  might  sustain  himself  for  great  dole-making. 

Then  he  called  Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and  Sir 
Lionel,  and  told  them  how  the  queen  had  forfended  him 
the  court,  and  so  he  was  in  will  to  depart  into  his  own  country. 
Fair  sir,  said  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  ye  shall  not  depart  out  of 
this  land  by  mine  advice.  Ye  must  remember  in  what 
honour  ye  are  renowned,  and  called  the  noblest  knight  of 
the  world  ;  and  many  great  matters  ye  have  in  hand.  And 
women  in  their  hastiness  will  do  ofttimes  that  sore  repenteth 
them  ;  and  therefore  by  mine  advice  ye  shall  take  your 
horse,  and  ride  to  the  good  hermit  here  beside  Windsor, 
that  sometime  was  a  good  knight,  his  name  is  Sir  Brasias, 
and  there  shall  ye  abide  till  I  send  you  word  of  better  tidings. 

And    then   the   noble   knight,  Sir   Launcelot,   departed 


380   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

with  right  heavy  cheer  suddenly,  that  none  earthly  creature 
wist  of  him,  nor  where  he  was  become,  but  Sir  Bors.  So 
when  Sir  Launcelot  was  departed,  the  queen  outward  made 
no  manner  of  sorrow  in  showing,  to  none  of  his  blood,  nor 
to  none  other.  But  wit  ye  well,  inwardly,  as  the  book  saith, 
she  took  great  thought,  but  she  bare  it  out  with  a  proud 
countenance  as  though  she  felt  nothing  nor  danger. 

HOW  AT  A  DINNER  THAT  THE  QUEEN 
MADE  THERE  WAS  A  KNIGHT  EN- 
POISONED,  WHICH  SIR  MADOR  LAID  ON 
THE  QUEEN,  AND  APPEACHED  HER  FOR  IT 
AND  HOW  SIR  BORS  TOOK  ON  HIM  TO  FIGHT 
FOR  THE  QUEEN  UPON  CONDITION.  And  then 
the  queen  let  make  a  privy  dinner  in  London  unto  the 
knights  of  the  Round  Table.  And  all  was  for  to  show 
outward  that  she  had  as  great  joy  in  all  other  knights  of 
the  Table  Round  as  she  had  in  Sir  Launcelot.  All  only 
at  that  dinner  she  had  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren,  that 
is  for  to  say  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Gaheris,  Sir  Gareth,  and 
Sir  Mordred.  Also  there  was  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  Sir  Blamore 
de  Ganis,  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis,  Sir  Galihud,  Sir  Galihodin, 
Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  Sir  Lionel,  Sir  Palomides,  Sir  Safere  his 
brother,  Sir  La  Cote  Male  Taile,  Sir  Persant,  Sir  Ironside, 
Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Kay  le  Seneschal,  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte, 
Sir  Patrise,  a  knight  of  Ireland,  Aliduk,  Sir  Astamore,  and 
Sir  Pinel  le  Savage,  the  which  was  cousin  to  Sir  Lamorak 
de  Galis,  the  good  knight  that  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  brethren 
slew  by  treason.  And  so  these  four-and-twenty  knights 
should  dine  with  the  queen  in  a  privy  place  by  themself, 
and  there  was  made  a  great  feast  of  all  manner  of  dainties. 
But  Sir  Gawaine  had  a  custom  that  he  used  daily  at 


HOW  THE  QUEEN  MADE  A  DINNER    381 

dinner  and  at  supper,  that  he  loved  well  all  manner  of  fruit, 
and  in  especial  apples  and  pears.  And  therefore  whosomever 
dined  or  feasted  Sir  Gawaine  would  commonly  purvey  for 
good  fruit  for  him,  and  so  did  the  queen  for  to  please  Sir 
Gawaine  ;  she  let  purvey  for  him  all  manner  of  fruit,  for 
Sir  Gawaine  was  a  passing  hot  knight  of  nature.  And  this 
Pinel  hated  Sir  Gawaine  because  of  his  kinsman  Sir  Lamorak 
de  Galis  ;  and  therefore  for  pure  envy  and  hate  Sir  Pinel 
enpoisoned  certain  apples  for  to  enpoison  Sir  Gawaine. 
And  so  this  was  well  unto  the  end  of  the  meat ;  and  so  it 
befell  by  misfortune  a  good  knight  named  Patrise,  cousin 
unto  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte,  to  take  a  poisoned  apple.  And 
when  he  had  eaten  it  he  swelled  so  till  he  brast,  and  there 
Sir  Patrise  fell  down  suddenly  dead  among  them. 

Then  every  knight  leapt  from  the  board  ashamed,  and 
araged  for  wrath,  nigh  out  of  their  wits.  For  they  wist 
not  what  to  say  ;  considering  Queen  Guenever  made  the 
feast  and  dinner,  they  all  had  suspicion  unto  her.  My 
lady,  the  queen,  said  Gawaine,  wit  ye  well,  madam,  that 
this  dinner  was  made  for  me,  for  all  folks  that  know  my 
condition  understand  that  I  love  well  fruit,  and  now  I  see 
well  I  had  near  been  slain  ;  therefore,  madam,  I  dread  me 
lest  ye  will  be  shamed.  Then  the  queen  stood  still  and  was 
sore  abashed,  that  she  nist  not  what  to  say.  This  shall 
not  so  be  ended,  said  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte,  for  here  have 
I  lost  a  full  noble  knight  of  my  blood  ;  and  therefore  upon 
this  shame  and  despite  I  will  be  revenged  to  the  utterance. 
And  there  openly  Sir  Mador  appealed  the  queen  of  the 
death  of  his  cousin,  Sir  Patrise.  Then  stood  they  all  still, 
that  none  would  speak  a  word  against  him,  for  they  all  had 
great  suspicion  unto  the  queen  because  she  let  make  that 
dinner.     And  the  queen  was  so  abashed  that  she  could  none 


382   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

other  ways  do,  but  wept  so  heartily  that  she  fell  in  a  swoon. 
With  this  noise  and  cry  came  to  them  King  Arthur,  and  when 
he  wist  of  that  trouble  he  was  a  passing  heavy  man. 

And  ever  Sir  Mador  stood  still  afore  the  king,  and  ever 
he  appealed  the  queen  of  treason  ;  for  the  custom  was 
such  that  time  that  all  manner  of  shameful  death  was  called 
treason.  Fair  lords,  said  King  Arthur,  me  repenteth  of  this 
trouble,  but  the  case  is  so  I  may  not  have  ado  in  this  matter, 
for  I  must  be  a  rightful  judge  ;  and  that  repenteth  me  that 
I  may  not  do  batde  for  my  wife,  for  as  I  deem  this  deed 
came  never  by  her.  And  therefore  I  suppose  she  shall  not 
be  all  distained,  but  that  some  good  knight  shall  put  his 
body  in  jeopardy  for  my  queen  rather  than  she  shall  be 
brent  in  a  wrong  quarrel.  And  therefore,  Sir  Mador,  be 
not  so  hasty,  for  it  may  happen  she  shall  not  be  all  friendless; 
and  therefore  desire  thou  thy  day  of  batde,  and  she  shall 
purvey  her  of  some  good  knight  that  shall  answer  you,  or 
else  it  were  to  me  great  shame,  and  to  all  my  court. 

My  gracious  lord,  said  Sir  Mador,  ye  must  hold  me 
excused,  for  though  ye  be  our  king  in  that  degree,  ye  are 
but  a  knight  as  we  are,  and  ye  are  sworn  unto  knighthood 
as  well  as  we  ;  and  therefore  I  beseech  you  that  ye  be  not 
displeased,  for  there  is  none  of  the  four-and-twenty  knights 
that  were  bidden  to  this  dinner  but  all  they  have  great 
suspicion  unto  the  queen.  What  say  ye  all,  my  lords  ? 
said  Sir  Mador.  Then  they  answered  by  and  by  that  they 
could  not  excuse  the  queen,  forwhy  she  made  the  dinner, 
and  either  it  must  come  by  her  or  by  her  servants.  Alas, 
said  the  queen,  I  made  this  dinner  for  a  good  intent,  and 
never  for  none  evil,  so  Almighty  God  me  help  in  my  right, 
as  I  was  never  purposed  to  do  such  evil  deeds,  and  that  I 
report  me  unto  God. 


THE  QUEEN  APPEACHED  OF  TREASON    383 

My  lord,  the  king,  said  Sir  Mador,  I  require  you  as 
ye  be  a  righteous  king  give  me  a  day  that  I  may  have  justice. 
Well,  said  the  king,  I  give  the  day  this  day  fifteen  days 
that  thou  be  ready  armed  on  horseback  in  the  meadow 
beside  Westminster.  And  if  it  so  fall  that  there  be  any 
knight  to  encounter  with  you,  there  mayst  thou  do  the 
best,  and  God  speed  the  right.  And  if  it  so  fall  that  there 
be  no  knight  at  that  day,  then  must  my  queen  be  burnt, 
and  there  she  shall  be  ready  to  have  her  judgment.  I  am 
answered,  said  Sir  Mador.  And  every  knight  went  where 
it  liked  them. 

So  when  the  king  and  the  queen  were  together  the  king 
asked  the  queen  how  this  case  befell.  The  queen  answered  : 
So  God  me  help,  I  wot  not  how  or  in  what  manner.  Where 
is  Sir  Launcelot  ?  said  King  Arthur  ;  an  he  were  here  he 
would  not  grudge  to  do  battle  for  you.  Sir,  said  the  queen, 
I  wot  not  where  he  is,  but  his  brother  and  his  kinsmen  deem 
that  he  be  not  within  this  realm.  That  me  repenteth,  said 
King  Arthur,  for  an  he  were  here  he  would  soon  stint  this 
strife.  Then  I  will  counsel  you,  said  the  king,  send  unto 
Sir  Bors,  that  he  will  do  battle  for  you  for  Sir  Launcelot's 
sake,  and  upon  my  life  he  will  not  refuse  you.  For  well 
I  see,  said  the  king,  that  none  of  these  four-and-twenty 
knights  that  were  with  you  at  your  dinner  where  Sir  Patrise 
was  slain,  will  do  battle  for  you,  nor  none  of  them  will 
say  well  of  you,  and  that  shall  be  a  great  slander  for  you 
in  this  court.  Alas,  said  the  queen,  and  I  may  not  do  withal ; 
but  now  I  miss  Sir  Launcelot,  for  an  he  were  here  he  would 
put  me  soon  to  my  heart's  ease.  What  aileth  you,  said  the 
king,  ye  cannot  keep  Sir  Launcelot  upon  your  side  ?  For 
wit  ye  well,  said  the  king,  who  that  hath  Sir  Launcelot  upon  his 
party  hath  the  most  man  of  worship  in  the  world  upon  his 


384   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

side.  Now  go  your  way,  said  the  king  unto  the  queen,  and 
require  Sir  Bors  to  do  batde  for  you  for  Sir  Launcelot's  sake. 

So  the  queen  departed  from  the  king,  and  sent  for  Sir 
Bors  into  her  chamber.  And  when  he  was  come  she  be- 
sought him  of  succour.  Madam,  said  he,  what  would  ye 
that  I  did  ?  for  I  may  not  with  my  worship  have  ado  in  this 
matter,  because  I  was  at  the  same  dinner,  for  dread  that 
any  of  those  knights  would  have  me  in  suspicion.  Also, 
madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  now  miss  ye  Sir  Launcelot,  for  he 
would  not  have  failed  you,  neither  in  right  nor  in  wrong, 
as  ye  have  well  proved  when  ye  have  been  in  danger  ;  and 
now  ye  have  driven  him  out  of  this  country,  by  whom 
ye  and  all  we  were  daily  worshipped  ;  therefore,  madam, 
I  marvel  how  ye  dare  for  shame  require  me  to  do  any  thing 
for  you,  in  so  much  ye  have  chased  him  out  of  your  country 
by  whom  we  were  borne  up  and  honoured.  Alas,  fair  knight, 
said  the  queen,  I  put  me  wholly  in  your  grace,  and  all  that 
is  done  amiss  I  will  amend  as  ye  will  counsel  me.  And 
therewith  she  kneeled  down  upon  both  her  knees,  and 
besought  Sir  Bors  to  have  mercy  upon  her  :  Outher  I  shall 
have  a  shameful  death,  and  thereto  I  never  offended. 

Right  so  came  King  Arthur,  and  found  the  queen  kneeling 
afore  Sir  Bors  ;  then  Sir  Bors  pulled  her  up,  and  said  : 
Madam,  ye  do  me  great  dishonour.  Ah,  gende  knight, 
said  the  king,  have  mercy  upon  my  queen,  courteous  knight, 
for  I  am  now  in  certain  she  is  untruly  defamed.  And 
therefore,  courteous  knight,  said  the  king,  promise  her  to 
do  batde  for  her :  I  require  you  for  the  love  of  Sir  Launcelot. 
My  lord,  said  Sir  Bors,  ye  require  me  the  greatest  thing 
that  any  man  may  require  me  ;  and  wit  ye  well  if  I  grant 
to  do  batde  for  the  queen  I  shall  wrath  many  of  my  fellowship 
of  the  Table  Round.     But  as  for  that,  said  Bors,  I  will  grant 


THE  QUEEN  AND  SIR  BORS  385 

my  lord  that  for  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot's  sake,  and  for  your 
sake  I  will  at  that  day  be  the  queen's  champion,  unless  that 
there  come  by  adventure  a  better  knight  than  I  am  to  do 
batde  for  her.  Will  ye  promise  me  this,  said  the  king,  by 
your  faith  ?  Yea  sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  of  that  I  will  not  fail 
you,  nor  her  both,  but  if  there  come  a  better  knight  than  I 
am,  and  then  shall  he  have  the  batde.  Then  was  the  king 
and  the  queen  passing  glad,  and  so  departed,  and  thanked 
him  heartily. 

So  then  Sir  Bors  departed  secredy  upon  a  day,  and 
rode  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  there  as  he  was  with  the  hermit, 
Sir  Brasias,  and  told  him  of  all  their  adventure.  Ah  Jesu, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  is  come  happily  as  I  would  have 
it,  and  therefore  I  pray  you  make  you  ready  to  do  batde, 
but  look  that  ye  tarry  till  ye  see  me  come,  as  long  as  ye 
may.  For  I  am  sure  Mador  is  an  hot  knight  when  he  is 
enchafed,  for  the  more  ye  suffer  him  the  hastier  will  he 
be  to  batde.  Sir,  said  Bors,  let  me  deal  with  him  ;  doubt 
ye  not  ye  shall  have  all  your  will.  Then  departed  Sir  Bors 
from  him  and  came  to  the  court  again.  Then  was  it  noised 
in  all  the  court  that  Sir  Bors  should  do  battle  for  the  queen  ; 
wherefore  many  knights  were  displeased  with  him,  that  he 
would  take  upon  him  to  do  battle  in  the  queen's  quarrel ;  for 
there  were  but  few  knights  in  all  the  court  but  they  deemed  the 
queen  was  in  the  wrong,  and  that  she  had  done  that  treason. 

HOW  AT  THE  DAY  SIR  BORS  MADE  HIM 
READY  FOR  TO  FIGHT  FOR  THE  QUEEN, 
BUT  SIR  LAUNCELOT  DISCHARGED  HIM, 
AND  OVERCAME  SIR  MADOR,  AND  HOW 
THE  TRUTH  WAS  KNOWN  BY  THE  DAMOSEL  OF 
THE  LAKE.     The  day  came  on  fast  that  the  batde  should 


3 86   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

be,  and  the  king  and  the  queen  and  all  manner  of  knights 
that  were  there  at  that  time  drew  them  unto  the  meadow 
beside  Westminster.  And  so  when  the  king  was  come  with 
the  queen  and  many  knights  of  the  Round  Table,  then  the 
queen  was  put  there  in  the  Constable's  ward,  and  a  great  fire 
made  about  an  iron  stake,  that  an  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte 
had  the  better,  she  should  be  burnt :  such  custom  was  used 
in  those  days,  that  neither  for  favour,  neither  for  love  nor 
affinity,  there  should  be  none  other  but  righteous  judgment, 
as  well  upon  a  king  as  upon  a  knight,  and  as  well  upon  a 
queen  as  upon  another  poor  lady. 

So  in  this  meanwhile  came  in  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte, 
and  took  his  oath  afore  the  king,  that  the  queen  did  this 
treason  until  his  cousin  Sir  Patrise,  and  unto  his  oath  he 
would  prove  it  with  his  body,  hand  for  hand,  who  that 
would  say  the  contrary.  Right  so  came  in  Sir  Bors  de 
Ganis,  and  said  :  That  as  for  Queen  Guenever  she  is  in 
the  right,  and  that  will  I  make  good  with  my  hands  that 
she  is  not  culpable  of  this  treason  that  is  put  upon  her. 
Then  make  thee  ready,  said  Sir  Mador,  and  we  shall  prove 
whether  thou  be  in  the  right  or  I.  Sir  Mador,  said  Sir 
Bors,  wit  thou  well  I  know  you  for  a  good  knight.  Not 
for  then  I  shall  not  fear  you  so  greatly,  but  I  trust  to  God 
I  shall  be  able  to  withstand  your  malice.  But  thus  much 
have  I  promised  my  lord  Arthur  and  my  lady  the  queen, 
that  I  shall  do  battle  for  her  in  this  case  to  the  uttermost, 
unless  that  there  come  a  better  knight  than  I  am  and  dis- 
charge me.  Is  that  all  ?  said  Sir  Mador,  either  come  thou 
off  and  do  battle  with  me,  or  else  say  nay.  Take  your 
horse,  said  Sir  Bors,  and  as  I  suppose,  ye  shall  not  tarry 
long  but  ye  shall  be  answered. 

Then   either   departed   to    their   tents   and    made  them 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  DISCHARGED  BORS  387 

ready  to  horseback  as  they  thought  best.  And  anon  Sir 
Mador  came  into  the  field  with  his  shield  on  his  shoulder 
and  his  spear  in  his  hand  ;  and  so  rode  about  the  place 
crying  unto  Arthur  :  Bid  your  champion  come  forth  an 
he  dare.  Then  was  Sir  Bors  ashamed  and  took  his  horse 
and  came  to  the  lists'  end.  And  then  was  he  ware  where 
came  from  a  wood  there  fast  by  a  knight  all  armed,  upon 
a  white  horse,  with  a  strange  shield  of  strange  arms  ;  and 
he  came  riding  all  that  he  might  run,  and  so  he  came  to 
Sir  Bors,  and  said  thus  :  Fair  knight,  I  pray  you  be  not 
displeased,  for  here  must  a  better  knight  than  ye  are  have 
this  batde  :  therefore  I  pray  you  withdraw  you.  For  wit 
ye  well  I  have  had  this  day  a  right  great  journey,  and  this 
batde  ought  to  be  mine,  and  so  I  promised  you  when  I 
spake  with  you  last,  and  with  all  my  heart  I  thank  you  of 
your  good  will.  Then  Sir  Bors  rode  unto  King  Arthur 
and  told  him  how  there  was  a  knight  come  that  would  have 
the  batde  for  to  fight  for  the  queen.  What  knight  is  he  ? 
said  the  king.  I  wot  not,  said  Sir  Bors,  but  such  covenant 
he  made  with  me  to  be  here  this  day.  Now  my  lord,  said 
Sir  Bors,  here  am  I  discharged. 

Then  the  king  called  to  that  knight,  and  asked  him  if 
he  would  fight  for  the  queen.  Then  he  answered  to  the 
king  :  Therefore  came  I  hither,  and  therefore,  sir  king,  he 
said,  tarry  me  no  longer,  for  I  may  not  tarry.  For  anon 
as  I  have  finished  this  batde  I  must  depart  hence,  for  I  have 
ado  many  matters  elsewhere.  For  wit  you  well,  said  that 
knight,  this  is  dishonour  to  you  all  knights  of  the  Round 
Table,  to  see  and  know  so  noble  a  lady  and  so  courteous 
a  queen  as  Queen  Guenever  is,  thus  to  be  rebuked  and 
shamed  amongst  you.  Then  they  all  marvelled  what 
knight  that  might  be  that  so  took  the  batde  upon  him. 


388   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

For  there  was  not  one  that  knew  him,  but  if  it  were 
Sir  Bors. 

Then  said  Sir  Mador  de  la  Porte  unto  the  king  :  Now 
let  me  wit  with  whom  I  shall  have  ado  withal.  And  then 
they  rode  to  the  lists'  end,  and  there  they  couched  their 
spears,  and  ran  together  with  all  their  might,  and  Sir  Mador's 
spear  brake  all  to  pieces,  but  the  other's  spear  held,  and 
bare  Sir  Mador's  horse  and  all  backward  to  the  earth  a  great 
fall.  But  mightily  and  suddenly  he  avoided  his  horse  and 
put  his  shield  afore  him,  and  then  drew  his  sword,  and  bade 
the  other  knight  alight  and  do  battle  with  him  on  foot. 
Then  that  knight  descended  from  his  horse  lightly  like  a 
valiant  man,  and  put  his  shield  afore  him  and  drew  his  sword  ; 
and  so  they  came  eagerly  unto  battle,  and  either  gave  other 
many  great  strokes.  But  at  the  last  this  knight  smote  Sir 
Mador  grovelling  upon  the  earth,  and  the  knight  stepped 
near  him  to  have  pulled  Sir  Mador  flatling  upon  die  ground  ; 
and  therewith  suddenly  Sir  Mador  arose,  and  in  his  rising 
he  smote  that  knight  through  the  thick  of  the  thighs  that 
the  blood  ran  out  fiercely.  And  when  he  felt  himself  so 
wounded,  and  saw  his  blood,  he  let  him  arise  upon  his  feet. 
And  then  he  gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the  helm  that  he 
fell  to  the  earth  flatling,  and  therewith  he  strode  to  him  to 
have  pulled  ofF  his  helm  off  his  head.  And  then  Sir  Mador 
prayed  that  knight  to  save  his  life,  and  so  he  yielded  him 
as  overcome,  and  released  the  queen  of  his  quarrel.  I  will 
not  grant  thee  thy  life,  said  that  knight,  only  that  thou 
freely  release  the  queen  for  ever,  and  that  no  mention  be 
made  upon  Sir  Patrise's  tomb  that  ever  Queen  Guenever 
consented  to  that  treason.  All  this  shall  be  done,  said  Sir 
Mador,  I  clearly  discharge  my  quarrel  for  ever. 

Then  the  knights  parters  of  the  lists  took  up  Sir  Mador, 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  KING  ARTHUR   389 

and  led  him  to  his  tent,  and  the  other  knight  went  straight 
to  the  stair-foot  where  sat  King  Arthur  ;  and  by  that  time 
was  the  queen  come  to  the  king,  and  either  kissed  other 
heartily.  And  when  the  king  saw  that  knight,  he  stooped 
down  to  him,  and  thanked  him,  and  in  likewise  did  the 
queen  ;  and  the  king  prayed  him  to  put  off  his  helmet, 
and  to  repose  him,  and  to  take  a  sop  of  wine.  And  then 
he  put  off  his  helm  to  drink,  and  then  every  knight  knew 
him  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Anon  as  the  king 
wist  that,  he  took  the  queen  in  his  hand,  and  yode  unto  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  said  :  Sir,  grand  merci  of  your  great  travail 
that  ye  have  had  this  day  for  me  and  for  my  queen.  My 
lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  ye  well  I  ought  of  right  ever 
to  be  in  your  quarrel,  and  in  my  lady  the  queen's  quarrel, 
to  do  battle  ;  for  ye  are  the  man  that  gave  me  the  high 
order  of  knighthood,  and  that  day  my  lady,  your  queen, 
did  me  great  worship,  and  else  I  had  been  shamed  ;  for 
that  same  day  ye  made  me  knight,  through  my  hastiness  I 
lost  my  sword,  and  my  lady,  your  queen,  found  it,  and 
lapped  it  in  her  train,  and  gave  me  my  sword  when  I  had 
need  thereto,  and  else  had  I  been  shamed  among  all  knights  ; 
and  therefore,  my  lord  Arthur,  I  promised  her  at  that  day 
ever  to  be  her  knight  in  right  or  in  wrong.  Grand  merci, 
said  the  king,  for  this  journey  ;  and  wit  ye  well,  said  the 
king,  I  shall  acquit  your  goodness. 

And  ever  the  queen  beheld  Sir  Launcelot,  and  wept  so 
tenderly  that  she  sank  almost  to  the  ground  for  sorrow 
that  he  had  done  to  her  so  great  goodness,  where  she  shewed 
him  great  unkindness.  Then  the  knights  of  his  blood  drew 
unto  him,  and  there  either  of  them  made  great  joy  of  other. 
And  so  came  all  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round  that  were 
there  at  that  time,  and  welcomed  him.     And  then  Sir  Mador 

2D 


390   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

was  had  to  leech-craft,  and  Sir  Launcelot  was  healed  of  his 
wound.  And  then  there  was  made  great  joy  and  mirths 
in  that  court. 

And  so  it  befell  that  the  damosel  of  the  lake,  her  name 
was  Nimue,  the  which  wedded  the  good  knight  Sir  Pelleas, 
when  she  heard  how  the  queen  was  an-angered  for  the  death 
of  Sir  Patrise,  then  she  told  it  openly  that  she  was  never 
guilty  ;  and  there  she  disclosed  by  whom  it  was  done,  and 
named  him,  Sir  Pinel  ;  and  for  what  cause  he  did  it ;  and 
so  the  queen  was  excused,  and  the  knight  Pinel  fled  into 
his  country.  And  then  Sir  Mador  sued  daily  and  long,  to 
have  the  queen's  good  grace  ;  and  so  by  the  means  of  Sir 
Launcelot  he  caused  him  to  stand  in  the  queen's  good  grace, 
and  all  was  forgiven. 

HOW  KING  ARTHUR  LET  CRY  A  TOURNA- 
MENT AT  CAMELOT  OR  WINCHESTER, 
AND  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT,  RIDING 
THITHER,  LODGED  AT  ASTOLAT,  AND  RE- 
CEIVED A  SLEEVE  TO  WEAR  ON  HIS  HELM 
AT  REQUEST  OF  A  MAID.  Thus  it  passed  on  till 
our  Lady  Day,  Assumption.  Within  a  fifteen  days  of 
that  feast  the  king  let  cry  a  great  jousts  and  a  tournament 
that  should  be  at  that  day  at  Camelot,  that  is  Winchester ; 
and  the  king  let  cry  that  he  and  the  King  of  Scots  would 
joust  against  all  that  would  come  against  them.  And 
when  this  cry  was  made,  thither  came  many  knights.  So 
there  came  thither  the  King  of  Northgalis,  and  King 
Anguish  of  Ireland,  and  the  King  with  the  Hundred 
Knights,  and  Galahad,  the  haut  prince,  and  the  King  of 
Northumberland,  and  many  other  noble  dukes  and  earls 
of  divers  countries.     So  King  Arthur  made  him  ready  to 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  QUEEN   391 

depart  to  these  jousts,  and  would  have  had  the  queen  with 
him  ;  but  at  that  time  she  would  not,  she  said,  for  she  was 
sick  and  might  not  ride  at  that  time.  And  many  deemed 
the  queen  would  not  be  there  because  of  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake  ;  for  Sir  Launcelot  would  not  ride  with  the  king,  for 
he  said  that  he  was  not  whole  of  the  wound  the  which  Sir 
Mador  had  given  him.  Wherefore  the  king  was  heavy  and 
passing  wroth.  And  so  he  departed  toward  Winchester 
with  his  fellowship  ;  and  so  by  the  way  the  king  lodged  in 
a  town  called  Astolat,  that  is  now  in  English  called  Guild- 
ford, and  there  the  king  lay  in  the  casde. 

So  when  the  king  was  departed  the  queen  called  Sir 
Launcelot  to  her,  and  said  thus  :  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  are 
gready  to  blame  thus  to  hold  you  behind  my  lord  ;  what, 
trow  ye,  what  will  your  enemies  and  mine  say  and  deem  ? 
nought  else  but,  See  how  Sir  Launcelot  holdeth  him  ever 
behind  the  king,  and  so  doth  the  queen,  for  that  they  would 
be  together.  And  thus  will  they  say,  said  the  queen  to  Sir 
Launcelot,  have  ye  no  doubt  thereof. 

Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  allow  your  wit ;  it  is  of  late 
come  since  ye  were  wise.  And  therefore,  madam,  at  this 
time  I  will  be  ruled  by  your  counsel,  and  this  night  I  will 
take  my  rest,  and  to-morrow  by  time  I  will  take  my  way 
toward  Winchester.  But  wit  you  well,  said  Sir  Launcelot 
to  the  queen,  that  at  that  jousts  I  will  be  against  the  king, 
and  against  all  his  fellowship.  Ye  may  there  do  as  ye  list, 
said  the  queen,  but  by  my  counsel  ye  shall  not  be  against 
your  king  and  your  fellowship.  For  therein  be  full  many 
hard  knights  of  your  blood,  as  ye  wot  well  enough,  it  needeth 
not  to  rehearse  them.  Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  pray 
you  that  ye  be  not  displeased  with  me,  for  I  will  take  the 
adventure  that  God  will  send  me. 


392   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

And  so  upon  the  morn  early  Sir  Launcelot  heard  mass 
and  brake  his  fast,  and  so  took  his  leave  of  the  queen  and 
departed.  And  then  he  rode  so  much  until  he  came  to 
Astolat,  that  is  Guildford  ;  and  there  it  happed  him  in  the 
eventide  he  came  to  an  old  baron's  place  that  hight  Sir 
Bernard  of  Astolat.  And  as  Sir  Launcelot  entered  into 
his  lodging,  King  Arthur  espied  him  as  he  did  walk  in  a 
garden  beside  the  casde,  how  he  took  his  lodging,  and 
knew  him  full  well.  It  is  well,  said  King  Arthur  unto  the 
knights  that  were  with  him  in  that  garden  beside  the  castle, 
I  have  now  espied  one  knight  that  will  play  his  play  at  the 
jousts  to  the  which  we  be  gone  toward  ;  I  undertake  he  will 
do  marvels.  Who  is  that,  we  pray  you  tell  us  ?  said  many 
knights  that  were  there  at  that  time.  Ye  shall  not  wit  for 
me,  said  the  king,  as  at  this  time.  And  so  the  king  smiled, 
and  went  to  his  lodging. 

So  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  in  his  lodging,  and  unarmed 
him  in  his  chamber,  the  old  baron  came  to  him  making 
his  reverence,  and  welcomed  him  in  the  best  manner  ; 
but  the  old  knight  knew  not  Sir  Launcelot.  Fair  sir,  said 
Sir  Launcelot  to  his  host,  I  would  pray  you  to  lend  me  a 
shield  that  were  not  openly  known,  for  mine  is  well  known. 
Sir,  said  his  host,  ye  shall  have  your  desire,  for  meseemeth 
ye  be  one  of  the  likeliest  knights  of  the  world,  and  therefore 
I  shall  shew  you  friendship.  Sir,  wit  you  well  I  have  two 
sons  that  were  but  late  made  knights,  and  the  eldest  hight 
Sir  Tirre,  and  he  was  hurt  that  same  day  he  was  made  knight, 
that  he  may  not  ride,  and  his  shield  ye  shall  have  ;  for  that 
is  not  known  I  dare  say  but  here,  and  in  no  place  else.  And 
my  youngest  son  hight  Lavaine,  and  if  it  please  you,  he  shall 
ride  with  you  unto  that  jousts,  and  he  is  of  his  age  strong 
and  wight ;  for  much  my  heart  giveth  unto  you  that  ye  should 


OF  THE  MAID  OF  ASTOLAT  393 

be  a  noble  knight,  therefore  I  pray  you,  tell  me  your  name, 
said  Sir  Bernard.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  must 
hold  me  excused  as  at  this  time,  and  if  God  give  me  grace 
to  speed  well  at  the  jousts  I  shall  come  again  and  tell  you. 
But  I  pray  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  in  any  wise  let  me  have 
your  son,  Sir  Lavaine,  with  me,  and  that  I  may  have  his 
brother's  shield.     All  this  shall  be  done,  said  Sir  Bernard. 

This  old  baron  had  a  daughter  that  was  called  that  time 
the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat.  And  ever  she  beheld  Sir 
Launcelot  wonderfully,  and  her  name  was  Elaine  le  Blank. 
So  thus  as  she  came  to  and  fro  she  was  so  hot  in  her  love 
that  she  besought  Sir  Launcelot  to  wear  upon  him  at  the 
jousts  a  token  of  hers.  Fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
an  if  I  grant  you  that,  ye  may  say  I  do  more  for  your  love 
than  ever  I  did  for  lady  or  damosel.  Then  he  remembered 
him  he  would  go  to  the  jousts  disguised.  And  because  he 
had  never  before  that  time  borne  no  manner  of  token  of  no 
damosel,  then  he  bethought  him  that  he  would  bear  one  of 
her,  that  none  of  his  blood  thereby  might  know  him,  and 
then  he  said  :  Fair  maiden,  I  will  grant  you  to  wear  a  token 
of  yours  upon  mine  helmet,  and  therefore  what  it  is,  shew 
it  me.  Sir,  she  said,  it  is  a  red  sleeve  of  mine,  of  scarlet,  well 
embroidered  with  great  pearls  :  and  so  she  brought  it  him. 
So  Sir  Launcelot  received  it,  and  said  :  Never  did  I  erst 
so  much  for  no  damosel.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  betook 
the  fair  maiden  his  shield  in  keeping,  and  prayed  her  to 
keep  that  until  that  he  came  again  ;  and  so  that  night  he  had 
merry  rest  and  great  cheer,  for  ever  the  damosel  Elaine  was 
about  Sir  Launcelot  all  the  while  she  might  be  suffered. 


394    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

OF  THE  TOURNEY  AT  WINCHESTER, 
AND  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  SORE 
WOUNDED.  So  upon  a  day,  on  the  morn, 
King  Arthur  and  all  his  knights  departed,  for  the 
king  had  tarried  there  three  days  to  abide  his 
noble  knights.  And  so  when  the  king  was 
ridden,  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  made  them  ready  to 
ride,  and  either  of  them  had  white  shields,  and  the  red  sleeve 
Sir  Launcelot  let  carry  with  him.  And  so  they  took  their 
leave  at  Sir  Bernard,  the  old  baron,  and  at  his  daughter, 
the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat.  And  then  they  rode  so  long 
till  that  they  came  to  Camelot,  that  time  called  Winchester  ; 
and  there  was  great  press  of  kings,  dukes,  earls,  and  barons, 
and  many  noble  knights.  But  there  Sir  Launcelot  was 
lodged  privily  by  the  means  of  Sir  Lavaine  with  a  rich 
burgess,  that  no  man  in  that  town  was  ware  what  they  were. 
And  so  they  reposed  them  there  till  our  Lady  Day,  Assump- 
tion, as  the  great  feast  should  be.  So  then  trumpets  blew 
unto  the  field,  and  King  Arthur  was  set  on  high  upon  a 
scaffold  to  behold  who  did  best.  But,  as  the  French  book 
saith,  King  Arthur  would  not  suffer  Sir  Gawaine  to  go  from 
him  ;  for  never  had  Sir  Gawaine  the  better,  an  Sir  Launcelot 
were  in  the  field  ;  and  many  times  was  Sir  Gawaine  rebuked 
when  Launcelot  came  into  any  jousts  disguised. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  came  in  at  the 
thickest  of  the  press,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down 
Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Sagramore,  Sir  Dodinas,  Sir  Kay,  Sir 
Griflet,  and  all  this  he  did  with  one  spear  ;  and  Sir  Lavaine 
smote  down  Sir  Lucan  le  Butler  and  Sir  Bedevere.  And 
then  Sir  Launcelot  gat  another  spear,  and  there  he  smote 
down  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Gaheris,  and  Sir  Mordred,  and  Sir 
Meliot  de  Logris  ;   and  Sir  Lavaine  smote  Ozanna  le  Cure 


OF  THE  TOURNEY  AT  WINCHESTER     395 

Hardy.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  drew  his  sword,  and  there 
he  smote  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  hand,  and  by 
great  force  he  unhorsed  Sir  Safere,  Sir  Epinogris,  and  Sir 
Galleron  ;  and  then  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round  with- 
drew them  aback,  after  they  had  gotten  their  horses  as  well 
as  they  might.  What  knight  is  yonder,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
that  doth  so  marvellous  deeds  of  arms  in  that  field  ?  I 
wot  well  what  he  is,  said  King  Arthur,  but  as  at  this  time  I 
will  not  name  him.  Sir,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  would  say  it 
were  Sir  Launcelot  by  his  riding  and  his  buffets  that  I  see 
him  deal,  but  ever  meseemeth  it  should  not  be  he,  for  that 
he  beareth  the  red  sleeve  upon  his  head  ;  for  I  wist  him 
never  bear  token  at  no  jousts,  of  lady  nor  gentlewoman. 
Let  him  be,  said  King  Arthur,  he  will  be  better  known,  and 
do  more,  or  ever  he  depart. 

Then  the  party  that  was  against  King  Arthur  were 
well  comforted,  and  then  they  held  them  together  that 
beforehand  were  sore  rebuked.  Then  Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector 
de  Maris,  and  Sir  Lionel  called  unto  them  the  knights  of 
their  blood,  as  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis,  Sir  Bleoberis,  Sir 
Aliduke,  Sir  Galihud,  Sir  Galihodin,  Sir  Bellangere  le 
Beuse.  So  these  nine  knights  of  Sir  Launcelot's  kin  thrust 
in  mightily,  for  they  were  all  noble  knights  ;  and  they,  of 
great  hate  and  despite  that  they  had  unto  him,  thought  to 
rebuke  that  noble  knight  Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Lavaine, 
for  they  knew  them  not  ;  and  so  they  came  hurling  together, 
and  smote  down  many  knights  of  Northgalis  and  of  North- 
umberland. And  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  them  fare  so, 
he  gat  a  spear  in  his  hand  ;  and  there  encountered  with  him 
all  at  once  Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector,  and  Sir  Lionel,  and  all  they 
three  smote  him  at  once  with  their  spears.  And  with  force 
of  themselves  they  smote  Sir  Launcelot's  horse  to  the  earth  ; 


396    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

and  by  misfortune  Sir  Bors  smote  Sir  Launcelot  through 
the  shield  into  the  side,  and  the  spear  brake,  and  the  head 
left  still  in  his  side. 

When  Sir  Lavaine  saw  his  master  lie  on  the  ground,  he 
ran  to  the  King  of  Scots  and  smote  him  to  the  earth  ;  and  by 
great  force  he  took  his  horse,  and  brought  him  to  Sir  Launce- 
lot, and  maugre  of  them  all  he  made  him  to  mount  upon 
that  horse.  And  then  Launcelot  gat  a  spear  in  his  hand, 
and  there  he  smote  Sir  Bors,  horse  and  man,  to  the  earth. 
In  the  same  wise  he  served  Sir  Ector  and  Sir  Lionel  ;  and 
Sir  Lavaine  smote  down  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis.  And  there 
Sir  Launcelot  with  his  sword  smote  down  and  pulled  down, 
as  the  French  book  maketh  mention,  mo  than  thirty  knights, 
and  the  most  part  were  of  the  Table  Round  ;  and  Sir  Lavaine 
did  full  well  that  day,  for  he  smote  down  ten  knights  of  the 
Table  Round. 

Mercy,  said  Sir  Gawaine  to  Arthur,  I  marvel  what  knight 
that  he  is  with  the  red  sleeve.  Sir,  said  King  Arthur, 
he  will  be  known  or  he  depart.  And  then  the  king  blew 
unto  lodging,  and  the  prize  was  given  by  heralds  unto  the 
knight  with  the  white  shield  that  bare  the  red  sleeve.  Then 
came  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights,  the  King  of 
Northgalis,  and  the  King  of  Northumberland,  and  Sir 
Galahad,  the  haut  prince,  and  said  unto  Sir  Launcelot : 
Fair  knight,  God  bless  thee,  for  much  have  ye  done  this 
day  for  us,  therefore  we  pray  you  that  ye  will  come  with 
us  that  ye  may  receive  the  honour  and  the  prize  as  ye  have 
worshipfully  deserved  it.  My  fair  lords,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
wit  you  well  if  I  have  deserved  thanks  I  have  sore  bought  it, 
and  that  me  repenteth,  for  I  am  like  never  to  escape  with 
my  life  ;  therefore,  fair  lords,  I  pray  you  that  ye  will  suffer 
me  to  depart  where  me  liketh,  for  I  am  sore  hurt.     I  take 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  WOUND  397 

none  force  of  none  honour,  for  I  had  liefer  to  repose  me 
than  to  be  lord  of  all  the  world.  And  therewithal  he  groaned 
piteously,  and  rode  a  great  wallop  away-ward  from  them 
until  he  came  under  a  wood's  side. 

And  when  he  saw  that  he  was  from  the  field  nigh  a  mile, 
that  he  was  sure  he  might  not  be  seen,  then  he  said  with  an 
high  voice  :  O  gentle  knight,  Sir  Lavaine,  help  me  that 
this  truncheon  were  out  of  my  side,  for  it  sticketh  so  sore 
that  it  nigh  slayeth  me.  O  mine  own  lord,  said  Sir  Lavaine, 
I  would  fain  do  that  might  please  you,  but  I  dread  me  sore 
an  I  pull  out  the  truncheon  that  ye  shall  be  in  peril  of  death. 
I  charge  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  as  ye  love  me,  draw  it 
out.  And  therewithal  he  descended  from  his  horse,  and 
right  so  did  Sir  Lavaine  ;  and  forthwithal  Sir  Lavaine  drew 
the  truncheon  out  of  his  side,  and  he  gave  a  great  shriek 
and  a  marvellous  grisly  groan,  and  the  blood  brast  out  nigh 
a  pint  at  once,  that  at  the  last  he  sank  down,  and  so  swooned 
pale  and  deadly.  Alas,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  what  shall  I  do  ? 
And  then  he  turned  Sir  Launcelot  into  the  wind,  but  so  he 
lay  there  nigh  half  an  hour  as  he  had  been  dead. 

And  so  at  the  last  Sir  Launcelot  cast  up  his  eyes,  and 
said  :  O  Lavaine,  help  me  that  I  were  on  my  horse,  for 
here  is  fast  by  within  this  two  mile  a  gentle  hermit  that 
sometime  was  a  full  noble  knight  and  a  great  lord  of  posses- 
sions. And  for  great  goodness  he  hath  taken  him  to  wilful 
poverty,  and  forsaken  many  lands,  and  his  name  is  Sir 
Baudwin  of  Brittany,  and  he  is  a  full  noble  surgeon  and  a 
good  leech.  Now  let  see,  help  me  up  that  I  were  there  ; 
for  ever  my  heart  giveth  me  that  I  shall  never  die  of  my 
cousin-germain's  hands.  And  then  with  great  pain  Sir 
Lavaine  halp  him  upon  his  horse.  And  then  they  rode  a 
great  wallop  together,  and  ever  Sir  Launcelot  bled  that  it 


398    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

ran  down  to  the  earth  ;  and  so  by  fortune  they  came  to  that 
hermitage,  the  which  was  under  a  wood,  and  a  great  cliff 
on  the  other  side,  and  a  fair  water  running  under  it.  And 
then  Sir  Lavaine  beat  on  the  gate  with  the  butt  of  his  spear, 
and  cried  fast  :   Let  in  for  Jesu's  sake. 

And  there  came  a  fair  child  to  them,  and  asked  them 
what  they  would.  Fair  son,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  go  and  pray 
thy  lord,  the  hermit,  for  God's  sake  to  let  in  here  a  knight 
that  is  full  sore  wounded  ;  and  this  day,  tell  thy  lord,  I  saw 
him  do  more  deeds  of  arms  than  ever  I  heard  say  that  any 
man  did.  So  the  child  went  in  lightly,  and  then  he  brought 
the  hermit,  the  which  was  a  passing  good  man.  When  Sir 
Lavaine  saw  him  he  prayed  him  for  God's  sake  of  succour. 
What  knight  is  he  ?  said  the  hermit.  Is  he  of  the  house 
of  King  Arthur,  or  not  ?  I  wot  not,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  what 
is  he,  nor  what  is  his  name,  but  well  I  wot  I  saw  him  do 
marvellously  this  day  as  of  deeds  of  arms.  On  whose  party 
was  he  ?  said  the  hermit.  Sir,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  he  was  this 
day  against  King  Arthur,  and  there  he  won  the  prize  of  all 
the  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  I  have  seen  the  day,  said 
the  hermit,  I  would  have  loved  him  the  worse  because  he 
was  against  my  lord,  King  Arthur,  for  sometime  I  was  one 
of  the  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table,  but  I  thank  God 
now  I  am  otherwise  disposed.  But  where  is  he  ?  let  me  see 
him.     Then  Sir  Lavaine  brought  the  hermit  to  him. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  BROUGHT  TO 
AN  HERMIT  FOR  TO  BE  HEALED,  AND 
HOW  IT  BECAME  KNOWN  THAT  IT  WAS 
HE  THAT  BARE  THE  RED  SLEEVE,  AND  OF 
THE  ANGER  OF  THE  QUEEN.  And  when  the 
hermit  beheld  him,  as  he  sat  leaning  upon  his  saddle-bow 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  HEALED     399 

ever  bleeding  piteously,  and  ever  the  knight-hermit  thought 
that  he  should  know  him,  but  he  could  not  bring  him 
to  knowledge  because  he  was  so  pale  for  bleeding.  What 
knight  are  ye,  said  the  hermit,  and  where  were  ye  born  ? 
My  fair  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  am  a  stranger  and 
a  knight  adventurous,  that  laboureth  throughout  many 
realms  for  to  win  worship.  Then  the  hermit  advised  him 
better,  and  saw  by  a  wound  on  his  cheek  that  he  was  Sir 
Launcelot.  Alas,  said  the  hermit,  mine  own  lord  why  hide 
you  your  name  from  me  ?  Forsooth  I  ought  to  know  you 
of  right,  for  ye  are  the  most  noblest  knight  of  the  world, 
for  well  I  know  you  for  Sir  Launcelot.  Sir,  said  he,  sith 
ye  know  me,  help  me  an  ye  may,  for  God's  sake,  for  I  would 
be  out  of  this  pain  at  once,  either  to  death  or  to  life.  Have 
ye  no  doubt,  said  the  hermit,  ye  shall  live  and  fare  right  well. 
And  so  the  hermit  called  to  him  two  of  his  servants,  and 
so  he  and  his  servants  bare  him  into  the  hermitage,  and 
lightly  unarmed  him,  and  laid  him  in  his  bed.  And  then 
anon  the  hermit  staunched  his  blood,  and  made  him  to 
drink  good  wine,  so  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  well  refreshed 
and  knew  himself  ;  for  in  those  days  it  was  not  the  guise 
of  hermits  as  is  nowadays,  for  there  were  none  hermits  in 
those  days  but  that  they  had  been  men  of  worship  and  of 
prowess  ;  and  those  hermits  held  great  household,  and 
refreshed  people  that  were  in  distress. 

Now  turn  we  unto  King  Arthur,  and  leave  we  Sir  Launce- 
lot in  the  hermitage.  So  when  the  kings  were  come  together 
on  both  parties,  and  the  great  feast  should  be  holden,  King 
Arthur  asked  the  King  of  Northgalis  and  their  fellowship, 
where  was  that  knight  that  bare  the  red  sleeve  :  Bring  him 
afore  me  that  he  may  have  his  laud,  and  honour,  and  the 
prize,  as  it  is  right.     Then   spake  Sir  Galahad,   the  haut 


4oo    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

prince,  and  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights  :  We 
suppose  that  knight  is  mischieved,  and  that  he  is  never  like 
to  see  you  nor  none  of  us  all,  and  that  is  the  greatest  pity 
that  ever  we  wist  of  any  knight.  Alas,  said  Arthur,  how 
may  this  be  ?  is  he  so  hurt  ?  What  is  his  name  ?  said  King 
Arthur.  Truly,  said  they  all,  we  know  not  his  name,  nor 
from  whence  he  came,  nor  whither  he  would.  Alas,  said 
the  king,  these  be  to  me  the  worst  tidings  that  came  to  me 
this  seven  year,  for  I  would  not  for  all  the  lands  I  wield  to 
know  and  wit  it  were  so  that  that  noble  knight  were  slain. 
Know  ye  him  ?  said  they  all.  As  for  that,  said  Arthur, 
whether  I  know  him  or  know  him  not,  ye  shall  not  know 
for  me  what  man  he  is,  but  Almighty  Jesu  send  me  good 
tidings  of  him.  And  so  said  they  all.  By  my  head,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  if  it  so  be  that  the  good  knight  be  so  sore  hurt, 
it  is  great  damage  and  pity  to  all  this  land,  for  he  is  one  of 
the  noblest  knights  that  ever  I  saw  in  a  field  handle  a  spear 
or  a  sword  ;  and  if  he  may  be  found  I  shall  find  him,  for  I 
am  sure  he  nis  not  far  from  this  town. 

Right  so  Sir  Gawaine  took  a  squire  with  him  upon 
hackneys,  and  rode  all  about  Camelot  within  six  or  seven 
mile,  but  so  he  came  again  and  could  hear  no  word  of  him. 
Then  within  two  days  King  Arthur  and  all  the  fellowship 
returned  unto  London  again.  And  so  as  they  rode  by  the 
way  it  happed  Sir  Gawaine  at  Astolat  to  lodge  with  Sir 
Bernard  thereas  was  Sir  Launcelot  lodged.  And  so  as 
Sir  Gawaine  was  in  his  chamber  to  repose  him,  Sir  Bernard, 
the  old  baron,  came  unto  him,  and  his  daughter  Elaine, 
to  cheer  him  and  to  ask  him  what  tidings,  and  who  did  best 
at  that  tournament  of  Winchester.  So  God  me  help,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  there  were  two  knights  that  bare  two  white 
shields,  but  the  one  of  them  bare  a  red  sleeve  upon  his  head, 


OF  SIR  GAWAINE  AT  ASTOLAT  401 

and  certainly  he  was  one  of  the  best  knights  that  ever  I  saw 
joust  in  field.  For  I  dare  say,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  one 
knight  with  the  red  sleeve  smote  down  forty  knights  of  the 
Table  Round,  and  his  fellow  did  right  well  and  worshipfully. 
Now  blessed  be  God,  said  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat,  that 
that  knight  sped  so  well,  for  he  is  the  man  in  the  world 
that  I  first  loved,  and  truly  he  shall  be  last  that  ever  I  shall 
love.  Now,  fair  maid,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  is  that  good 
knight  your  love  ?  Certainly  sir,  said  she,  wit  ye  well  he 
is  my  love.  Then  know  ye  his  name  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine. 
Nay  truly,  said  the  damosel,  I  know  not  his  name  nor  from 
whence  he  cometh,  but  to  say  that  I  love  him,  I  promise 
you  and  God  that  I  love  him.  How  had  ye  knowledge  of 
him  first  ?   said  Sir  Gawaine. 

Then  she  told  him  as  ye  have  heard  to-fore,  and  how  her 
father  betook  him  her  brother  to  do  him  service,  and  how 
her  father  lent  him  her  brother's,  Sir  Tirre's,  shield  :  And 
here  with  me  he  left  his  own  shield.  For  what  cause  did 
he  so  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine.  For  this  cause,  said  the  damosel, 
for  his  shield  was  too  well  known  among  many  noble  knights. 
Ah,  fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  please  it  you  let  me 
have  a  sight  of  that  shield.  Sir,  said  she,  it  is  in  my  chamber, 
covered  with  a  case,  and  if  ye  will  come  with  me  ye  shall 
see  it.  Not  so,  said  Sir  Bernard  to  his  daughter,  let  send 
for  it. 

So  when  the  shield  was  come,  Sir  Gawaine  took  off  the 
case,  and  when  he  beheld  that  shield  he  knew  anon  that  it 
was  Sir  Launcelot's  shield,  and  his  own  arms.  Ah  Jesu 
mercy,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  now  is  my  heart  more  heavier 
than  ever  it  was  to-fore.  Why  ?  said  Elaine.  For  I  have 
great  cause,  said  Sir  Gawaine.  Is  that  knight  that  oweth 
this  shield  your  love  ?     Yea  truly,  said  she,  my  love  he  is  ; 


4o2   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

God  would  I  were  his  love.  So  God  me  speed,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  fair  damosel  ye  have  right,  for  an  he  be  your 
love  ye  love  the  most  honourable  knight  of  the  world,  and 
the  man  of  most  worship.  But  I  dread  me,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
that  ye  shall  never  see  him  in  this  world,  and  that  is  great 
pity  that  ever  was  of  earthly  knight.  Alas,  said  she,  how 
may  this  be,  is  he  slain  ?  I  say  not  so,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
but  wit  ye  well  he  is  grievously  wounded,  by  all  manner 
of  signs,  and  by  men's  sight  more  likelier  to  be  dead  than 
to  be  alive  ;  and  wit  ye  well  he  is  the  noble  knight,  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  by  this  shield  I  know  him.  Alas,  said  the 
Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat,  how  may  this  be,  and  what  was  his 
hurt  ?  Truly,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  the  man  in  the  world  that 
loved  him  best  hurt  him  so  ;  and  I  dare  say,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
an  that  knight  that  hurt  him  knew  the  very  certainty  that 
he  had  hurt  Sir  Launcelot,  it  would  be  the  most  sorrow  that 
ever  came  to  his  heart. 

Now  fair  father,  said  then  Elaine,  I  require  you  give 
me  leave  to  ride  and  to  seek  him,  or  else  I  wot  well  I  shall 
go  out  of  my  mind,  for  I  shall  never  stint  till  that  I  find  him 
and  my  brother,  Sir  Lavaine.  Do  as  it  liketh  you,  said  her 
father,  for  me  sore  repenteth  of  the  hurt  of  that  noble  knight. 
Right  so  the  maid  made  her  ready,  and  before  Sir  Gawaine, 
making  great  dole. 

Then  on  the  morn  Sir  Gawaine  came  to  King  Arthur, 
and  told  him  how  he  had  found  Sir  Launcelot's  shield  in 
the  keeping  of  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat.  So  the  king 
and  all  came  to  London,  and  there  Sir  Gawaine  openly 
disclosed  to  all  the  court  that  it  was  Sir  Launcelot  that 
jousted  best. 

And  when  Sir  Bors  heard  that,  wit  ye  well  he  was  an 
heavy  man,  and  so  were  all  his  kinsmen.     But  when  Queen 


OF  QUEEN  GUENEVER  AND  SIR  BORS   403 

Guenever  wist  that  Sir  Launcelot  bare  the  red  sleeve  of  the 
Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  she  was  nigh  out  of  her  mind  for 
wrath.  And  then  she  sent  for  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  in  all  the 
haste  that  might  be.  So  when  Sir  Bors  was  come  to-fore 
the  queen,  then  she  said  :  Ah,  Sir  Bors,  have  ye  heard  say 
how  falsely  Sir  Launcelot  hath  betrayed  me  ?  Alas  madam, 
said  Sir  Bors,  I  am  afeard  he  hath  betrayed  himself  and  us 
all.  No  force,  said  the  queen,  though  he  be  destroyed, 
for  he  is  a  false  traitor-knight.  Madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  I 
pray  you  say  ye  not  so,  for  wit  you  well  I  may  not  hear 
such  language  of  him.  Why,  Sir  Bors,  said  she,  should  I  not 
call  him  traitor  when  he  bare  the  red  sleeve  upon  his  head 
at  Winchester,  at  the  great  jousts  ?  Madam,  said  Sir  Bors, 
that  sleeve-bearing  repenteth  me  sore,  but  I  dare  say  he 
did  it  to  none  evil  intent,  but  for  this  cause  he  bare  the  red 
sleeve  that  none  of  his  blood  should  know  him.  For  ere 
then  we,  nor  none  of  us  all,  never  knew  that  ever  he  bare 
token  or  sign  of  maid,  lady,  ne  gendewoman.  Fie  on  him, 
said  the  queen,  for  I  heard  Sir  Gawaine  say  before  my  lord 
Arthur  that  it  were  marvel  to  tell  the  great  love  that  is  between 
the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  and  him.  Madam,  said  Sir  Bors, 
I  may  not  warn  Sir  Gawaine  to  say  what  it  pleased  him  ; 
but  I  dare  say,  as  for  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  that  he  loveth 
no  lady,  gendewoman,  nor  maid,  but  all  he  loveth  in  like 
much.  And  therefore  madam,  said  Sir  Bors,  ye  may  say 
what  ye  will,  but  wit  ye  well  I  will  haste  me  to  seek  him, 
and  find  him  wheresomever  he  be,  and  God  send  me  good 
tidings  of  him.  And  so  leave  we  them  there,  and  speak 
we  of  Sir  Launcelot  that  lay  in  great  peril. 


4o4   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

HOW  THE  MAIDEN  ELAINE 
DID  ATTENDANCE  UNTO  SIR 
LAUNCELOT,  AND  OF  HER 
LAMENTATION  THAT  HE 
SHOULD  DEPART,  AND  HOW 
SHE  DIED  FOR  HIS  LOVE,  AND  HOW  HER  BODY 
WAS  BROUGHT  TO  THE  COURT  AND  OF  HER 
BURYING.  So  as  fair  Elaine  came  to  Winchester  she 
sought  there  all  about,  and  by  fortune  Sir  Lavaine  was 
ridden  to  play  him,  to  enchafe  his  horse.  And  anon  as 
Elaine  saw  him  she  knew  him,  and  then  she  cried  aloud 
unto  him.  And  when  he  heard  her  anon  he  came  to  her, 
and  then  she  asked  her  brother  how  did  my  lord,  Sir 
Launcelot.  Who  told  you,  sister,  that  my  lord's  name  was 
Sir  Launcelot  ?  Then  she  told  him  how  Sir  Gawaine  by 
his  shield  knew  him.  So  they  rode  together  till  that  they 
came  to  the  hermitage,  and  anon  she  alighted. 

So  Sir  Lavaine  brought  her  in  to  Sir  Launcelot ;  and 
when  she  saw  him  lie  so  sick  and  pale  in  his  bed  she  might 
not  speak,  but  suddenly  she  fell  to  the  earth  down  suddenly 
in  a  swoon,  and  there  she  lay  a  great  while.  And  when 
she  was  relieved,  she  shrieked  and  said  :  My  lord,  Sir  Launce- 
lot, alas  why  be  ye  in  this  plight  ?  and  then  she  swooned 
again.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  prayed  Sir  Lavaine  to 
take  her  up  :  And  bring  her  to  me.  And  when  she  came 
to  herself  Sir  Launcelot  kissed  her,  and  said  :  Fair  maiden, 
why  fare  ye  thus  ?  ye  put  me  to  pain  ;  wherefore  make 
ye  no  more  such  cheer,  for  an  ye  be  come  to  comfort  me  ye 
be  right  welcome  ;  and  of  this  little  hurt  that  I  have  I  shall 
be  right  hastily  whole  by  the  grace  of  God.  But  I  marvel, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  who  told  you  my  name  ?  Then  the  fair 
maiden  told  him  all  how  Sir  Gawaine  was  lodged  with  her 


LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  MAID  OF  ASTOLAT 


405 


father  :  And  there  by  your  shield  he  discovered  your  name. 
Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  me  repenteth  that  my  name 
is  known,  for  I  am  sure  it  will  turn  unto  anger.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  compassed  in  his  mind  that  Sir  Gawaine  would 
tell  Queen  Guenever  how  he  bare  the  red  sleeve,  and  for 
whom  ;   that  he  wist  well  would  turn  into  great  anger. 

So  this  maiden  Elaine  never  went  from  Sir  Launcelot, 
but  watched  him  day  and  night,  and  did  such  attendance 
to  him,  that  the  French  book  saith  there  was  never  woman 
did  more  kindlier  for  man  than  she.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot 
was  big  and  strong  again. 

So  then  they  made  them  ready  to  depart  from  the  hermit. 
And  so  upon  a  morn  they  took  their  horses  and  Elaine  le 
Blank  with  them  ;  and  when  they  came  to  Astolat  there 
were  they  well  lodged,  and  had  great  cheer  of  Sir  Bernard, 
the  old  baron,  and  of  Sir  Tirre,  his  son.  And  so  upon  the 
morn  when  Sir  Launcelot  should  depart,  fair  Elaine  brought 
her  father  with  her,  and  Sir  Lavaine,  and  Sir  Tirre,  and  thus 
she  said  : 

My  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  now  I  see  ye  will  depart  ;  now 
fair  knight  and  courteous  knight,  have  mercy  upon  me, 
and  suffer  me  not  to  die  for  thy  love.  What  would  ye  that 
I  did  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot.  I  would  have  you  to  my  husband, 
said  Elaine.  Fair  damosel,  I  thank  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
but  truly,  said  he,  I  cast  me  never  to  be  wedded  man.  Then, 
fair  knight,  said  she,  will  ye  be  my  lover  ?  Jesu  defend 
me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  then  I  rewarded  your  father 
and  your  brother  full  evil  for  their  great  goodness.  Alas, 
said  she,  then  must  I  die  for  your  love.  Ye  shall  not  so, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  wit  ye  well,  fair  maiden,  I  might 
have  been  married  an  I  had  would,  but  I  never  applied  me 
to  be  married  yet  ;    but  because,  fair  damosel,  that  ye  love 

2E 


4o6   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

me  as  ye  say  ye  do,  I  will  for  your  good  will  and  kindness 
show  you  some  goodness,  and  that  is  this,  that  wheresomever 
ye  will  beset  your  heart  upon  some  good  knight  that  will 
wed  you,  I  shall  give  you  together  a  thousand  pound  yearly 
to  you  and  to  your  heirs  ;  thus  much  will  I  give  you,  fair 
madam,  for  your  kindness,  and  always  while  I  live  to  be 
your  own  knight.  Of  all  this,  said  the  maiden,  I  will  none, 
for  but  if  ye  will  wed  me,  or  else  be  my  lover  at  the 
least,  wit  you  well,  Sir  Launcelot,  my  good  days  are  done. 
Fair  damosel,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  of  these  two  things  ye 
must  pardon  me. 

Then  she  shrieked  shrilly,  and  fell  down  in  a  swoon  ; 
and  then  women  bare  her  into  her  chamber,  and  there  she 
made  overmuch  sorrow  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  would 
depart,  and  there  he  asked  Sir  Lavaine  what  he  would  do. 
What  should  I  do,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  but  follow  you,  but 
if  ye  drive  me  from  you,  or  command  me  to  go  from  you. 
Then  came  Sir  Bernard  to  Sir  Launcelot  and  said  to  him  : 
I  cannot  see  but  that  my  daughter  Elaine  will  die  for  your 
sake.  Father,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  she  doth  as  I  do,  for  sithen 
I  first  saw  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  I  could  never  depart  from 
him,  nor  nought  I  will  an  I  may  follow  him. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  took  his  leave,  and  so  they  departed, 
and  came  unto  Winchester.  And  when  Arthur  wist  that 
Sir  Launcelot  was  come  whole  and  sound  the  king  made 
great  joy  of  him,  and  so  did  Sir  Gawaine  and  all  the  knights 
of  the  Round  Table  except  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred. 
Also  Queen  Guenever  was  wood  wroth  with  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  would  by  no  means  speak  with  him,  but  estranged 
herself  from  him  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  made  all  the  means 
that  he  might  for  to  speak  with  the  queen,  but  it  would 
not  be. 


HOW  THE  MAID  OF  ASTOLAT  DIED     407 

Now  speak  we  of  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  that  made 
such  sorrow  day  and  night  that  she  never  slept,  ate,  nor 
drank,  and  ever  she  made  her  complaint  unto  Sir  Launcelot. 
So  when  she  had  thus  endured  a  ten  days,  that  she  feebled 
so  that  she  must  needs  pass  out  of  this  world,  then  she  shrived 
her  clean,  and  received  her  Creator.  And  ever  she  com- 
plained still  upon  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  her  ghostly  father 
bade  her  leave  such  thoughts.  Then  she  said,  why  should 
I  leave  such  thoughts  ?  Am  I  not  an  earthly  woman  ? 
And  all  the  while  the  breath  is  in  my  body  I  may  complain 
me,  for  my  belief  is  I  do  none  offence  though  I  love  an 
earthly  man  ;  and  I  take  God  to  my  record  I  loved  never 
none  but  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  nor  never  shall,  and  a  clean 
maiden  I  am  for  him  and  for  all  other  ;  and  si  then  it  is  the 
sufferance  of  God  that  I  shall  die  for  the  love  of  so  noble 
a  knight,  I  beseech  the  High  Father  of  Heaven  to  have 
mercy  upon  my  soul,  and  that  mine  innumerable  pains 
that  I  suffered  may  be  allegiance  of  part  of  my  sins.  For 
sweet  Lord  Jesu,  said  the  fair  maiden,  I  take  thee  to  record, 
on  thee  I  was  never  great  offencer  against  thy  laws  ;  but 
that  I  loved  this  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  out  of  measure, 
and  of  myself,  good  Lord,  I  might  not  withstand  the  fervent 
love  wherefore  I  have  my  death. 

And  then  she  called  her  father,  Sir  Bernard,  and  her 
brother,  Sir  Tirre,  and  heartily  she  prayed  her  father  that 
her  brother  might  write  a  letter  like  as  she  did  indite  it : 
and  so  her  father  granted  her.  And  when  the  letter  was 
written  word  by  word  like  as  she  devised,  then  she  prayed 
her  father  that  she  might  be  watched  until  she  were  dead. 
And  while  my  body  is  hot  let  this  letter  be  put  in  my  right 
hand,  and  my  hand  bound  fast  with  the  letter  until  that  I 
be  cold  ;   and  let  me  be  put  in  a  fair  bed  with  all  the  richest 


4o8   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

clothes  that  I  have  about  me,  and  so  let  my  bed  and  all  my 
richest  clothes  be  laid  with  me  in  a  chariot  unto  the  next 
place  where  Thames  is  ;  and  there  let  me  be  put  within  a 
barget,  and  but  one  man  with  me,  such  as  ye  trust  to  steer 
me  thither,  and  that  my  barget  be  covered  with  black  samite 
over  and  over  :  thus  father  I  beseech  you  let  it  be  done. 
So  her  father  granted  it  her  faithfully,  all  things  should  be 
done  like  as  she  had  devised.  Then  her  father  and  her 
brother  made  great  dole,  for  when  this  was  done  anon  she 
died.  And  so  the  corpse  and  the  bed  were  borne  the  next 
way  unto  Thames,  and  there  a  man,  and  the  corpse,  and  all, 
were  put  into  Thames  ;  and  so  the  man  steered  the  barget 
unto  Westminster,  and  there  he  rowed  a  great  while  to  and 
fro  ere  any  espied  it. 

So  by  fortune  King  Arthur  and  the  Queen  Guenever  were 
speaking  together  at  a  window,  and  so  as  they  looked  into 
Thames  they  espied  this  black  barget,  and  had  marvel  what 
it  meant.  Then  the  king  called  Sir  Kay,  and  showed  it 
him.  Sir,  said  Sir  Kay,  wit  you  well  there  is  some  new 
tidings.  Go  thither,  said  the  king  to  Sir  Kay,  and  take 
with  you  Sir  Brandiles  and  Agravaine,  and  bring  me  ready 
word  what  is  there.  Then  these  knights  departed  and  came 
to  the  barget  and  went  in  ;  and  there  they  found  the  fairest 
corpse  lying  in  a  rich  bed,  and  a  poor  man  sitting  in  the 
barget's  end,  and  no  word  would  he  speak.  So  these  knights 
returned  unto  the  king  again,  and  told  him  what  they  found. 
That  fair  corpse  will  I  see,  said  the  king.  And  so  then  the 
king  took  the  queen  by  the  hand,  and  went  thither. 

Then  the  king  made  the  barget  to  be  holden  fast,  and 
then  the  king  and  the  queen  entered  with  certain  knights 
with  them  ;  and  there  he  saw  the  fairest  woman  lie  in  a  rich 
bed,  covered  unto  her  middle  with  many  rich  clothes,  and 


R 

■.    . 


How  King  Arthur  and  Queen  Guenever  went  to  see  the  barge  that  bore 
the  corpse  of  Elaine  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat. 

To  face  page  4.08. 

I 


he  kin;/  with  c 

:OthcS, 


^■■■HB 


OF  ARTHUR  AND  THE  DEAD  MAID     409 

all  was  of  cloth  of  gold,  and  she  lay  as  though  she  had  smiled. 
Then  the  queen  espied  a  letter  in  her  right  hand,  and  told 
it  to  the  king.  Then  the  king  took  it  and  said  :  Now  am 
I  sure  this  letter  will  tell  what  she  was,  and  why  she  is  come 
hither.  So  then  the  king  and  the  queen  went  out  of  the 
barget,  and  so  commanded  a  certain  man  to  wait  upon  the 
barge  t. 

And  so  when  the  king  was  come  within  his  chamber,  he 
called  many  knights  about  him,  and  said  that  he  would  wit 
openly  what  was  written  within  that  letter.  Then  the  king 
brake  it,  and  made  a  clerk  to  read  it,  and  this  was  the  intent 
of  the  letter.  Most  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  now  hath 
death  made  us  two  at  debate  for  your  love.  I  was  your 
lover,  that  men  called  the  Fair  Maiden  of  Astolat  ;  therefore 
unto  all  ladies  I  make  my  moan  ;  yet  pray  for  my  soul  and 
bury  me  at  least,  and  offer  ye  my  mass-penny  :  this  is  my 
last  request.  And  a  clean  maiden  I  died,  I  take  God  to 
witness  :  pray  for  my  soul,  Sir  Launcelot,  as  thou  art  peer- 
less. This  was  all  the  substance  in  the  letter.  And  when 
it  was  read,  the  king,  the  queen,  and  all  the  knights  wept 
for  pity  of  the  doleful  complaints.  Then  was  Sir  Launcelot 
sent  for  ;  and  when  he  was  come  King  Arthur  made  the 
letter  to  be  read  to  him. 

And  when  Sir  Launcelot  heard  it  word  by  word,  he 
said  :  My  lord  Arthur,  wit  ye  well  I  am  right  heavy  of 
the  death  of  this  fair  damosel  :  God  knoweth  I  was  never 
causer  of  her  death  by  my  willing,  and  that  will  I  report 
me  to  her  own  brother  :  here  he  is,  Sir  Lavaine.  I  will 
not  say  nay,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  but  that  she  was  both  fair 
and  good,  and  much  I  was  beholden  unto  her,  but  she 
loved  me  out  of  measure.  Ye  might  have  shewed  her,  said 
the  queen,  some  bounty  and   gendeness   that   might  have 


4io   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

preserved  her  life.  Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  she  would 
none  other  ways  be  answered  but  that  she  would  be  my 
wife,  or  else  my  love  ;  and  of  these  two  I  would  not 
grant  her,  but  I  proffered  her,  for  her  good  love  that  she 
shewed  me,  a  thousand  pound  yearly  to  her,  and  to  her 
heirs,  and  to  wed  any  manner  knight  that  she  could  find 
best  to  love  in  her  heart.  For  madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  love  not  to  be  constrained  to  love  ;  for  love  must  arise 
of  the  heart,  and  not  by  no  constraint.  That  is  truth,  said 
the  king  and  many  knights  :  love  is  free  in  himself,  and  never 
will  be  bounden,  for  where  he  is  bounden  he  looseth  himself. 
Then  said  the  king  unto  Sir  Launcelot :  It  will  be  your 
worship  that  ye  oversee  that  she  be  interred  worshipfully. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  shall  be  done  as  I  can  best 
devise.  And  so  many  knights  went  thither  to  behold  that 
fair  maiden.  And  so  upon  the  morn  she  was  interred 
richly^  and  Sir  Launcelot  offered  her  mass-penny  ;  and  all 
the  knights  of  the  Table  Round  that  were  there  at  that 
time  offered  with  Sir  Launcelot.  And  then  the  poor  man 
went  again  with  the  barget.  Then  the  queen  sent  for  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  prayed  him  of  mercy,  forwhy  that  she  had 
been  wroth  with  him  causeless.  This  is  not  the  first  time, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  ye  have  been  displeased  with  me 
causeless ;  but,  madam,  ever  I  must  suffer  you,  but  what 
sorrow  I  endure  I  take  no  force.  So  thus  passed  on  all  that 
winter,  with  all  manner  of  hunting  and  hawking  ;  and  jousts 
and  tourneys  were  many  betwixt  many  great  lords,  and  ever 
in  all  places  Sir  Lavaine  gat  great  worship. 


OF  GREAT  JOUSTS  AT  CHRISTMAS      411 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WENT  TO  RE- 
POSE HIM  AT  A  HERMITAGE,  AND 
HOW  HE  WAS  HURT  OF  A  GENTLE- 
WOMAN, AND  OF  A  GREAT  TOURNEY 
ORDAINED  BY  KING  ARTHUR.  Thus 
it  passed  on  till  Christmas,  and  then  every  day 
there  was  jousts  made  for  a  diamond,  who  that  jousted  best 
should  have  a  diamond.  But  Sir  Launcelot  would  not  joust 
but  if  it  were  at  a  great  jousts  cried.  But  Sir  Lavaine  jousted 
there  all  that  Christmas  passingly  well,  and  best  was  praised, 
for  there  were  but  few  that  did  so  well.  Wherefore  all 
manner  of  knights  deemed  that  Sir  Lavaine  should  be  made 
knight  of  the  Table  Round  at  the  next  feast  of  Pentecost. 
So  at-after  Christmas  King  Arthur  let  call  unto  him  many 
knights,  and  there  they  advised  together  to  make  a  party 
and  a  great  tournament  and  jousts,  beside  Westminster  upon 
Candlemas  Day. 

Then  Queen  Guenever  sent  for  Sir  Launcelot,  and  said 
thus  :  I  warn  you  that  ye  ride  no  more  in  no  jousts  nor 
tournaments  but  that  your  kinsmen  may  know  you.  And 
at  these  jousts  that  shall  be  ye  shall  have  of  me  a  sleeve  of 
gold  ;  and  I  pray  you  for  my  sake  enforce  yourself  there, 
that  men  may  speak  of  you  worship  ;  but  I  charge  you  as 
ye  will  have  my  love,  that  ye  warn  your  kinsmen  that  ye 
will  bear  that  day  the  sleeve  of  gold  upon  your  helmet. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  it  shall  be  done.  And  so 
either  made  great  joy  of  other.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  his  time  he  told  Sir  Bors  that  he  would  depart,  and  have 
no  more  with  him  but  Sir  Lavaine,  unto  the  good  hermit  that 
dwelt  in  that  forest  of  Windsor ;  his  name  was  Sir  Brasias  ; 
and  there  he  thought  to  repose  him,  and  take  all  the  rest  that 
he  might,  because  he  would  be  fresh  at  that  day  of  jousts. 


4i2   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

So  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavaine  departed,  that  no 
creature  wist  where  he  was  become,  but  the  noble  men  of 
his  blood.  And  when  he  was  come  to  the  hermitage,  wit 
ye  well  he  had  good  cheer.  And  so  daily  Sir  Launcelot 
would  go  to  a  well  fast  by  the  hermitage,  and  there  he 
would  lie  down,  and  see  the  well  spring  and  burble,  and 
sometime  he  slept  there.  So  at  that  time  there  was  a  lady 
dwelt  in  that  forest,  and  she  was  a  great  huntress,  and  daily 
she  used  to  hunt,  and  ever  she  bare  her  bow  with  her  ;  and 
no  men  went  never  with  her,  but  always  women,  and  they 
were  shooters,  and  could  well  kill  a  deer,  both  at  the  stalk 
and  at  the  trest  ;  and  they  daily  bare  bows  and  arrows, 
horns  and  wood-knives,  and  many  good  dogs  they  had, 
both  for  the  string  and  for  a  bate.  So  it  happed  this  lady 
the  huntress  had  abated  her  dog  for  the  bow  at  a  barren 
hind,  and  so  this  barren  hind  took  the  flight  over  hedges 
and  woods.  And  ever  this  lady  and  part  of  her  women 
costed  the  hind,  and  checked  it  by  the  noise  of  the  hounds, 
to  have  met  with  the  hind  at  some  water  ;  and  so  it  happed, 
the  hind  came  to  the  well  whereas  Sir  Launcelot  was  sleeping 
and  slumbering.  And  so  when  the  hind  came  to  the  well, 
for  heat  she  went  to  soil,  and  there  she  lay  a  great  while  ; 
and  the  dogs  came  after,  and  umbecast  about,  for  they  had 
lost  the  very  perfect  feute  of  the  hind.  Right  so  came  that 
lady  the  huntress,  that  knew  by  the  dog  that  she  had,  that 
the  hind  was  at  the  soil  in  that  well  ;  and  there  she  came 
stiffly  and  found  the  hind,  and  she  put  a  broad  arrow  in 
her  bow,  and  shot  at  the  hind,  and  over-shot  the  hind  ;  and 
so  by  misfortune  the  arrow  smote  Sir  Launcelot  in  the  thick 
of  the  thigh,  over  the  barbs.  When  Sir  Launcelot  felt 
himself  so  hurt,  he  hurled  up  woodly,  and  saw  the  lady  that 
had  smitten  him.     And  when  he  saw  she  was  a  woman,  he 


noble 


- 


ould  v 


How  Sir  Launcelot  was  shot  by  a  gentlewoman  hunting. 

To  face  page  4.12. 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  HURT       413 

said  thus  :  Lady  or  damosel,  what  that  thou  be,  in  an  evil 
time  bear  ye  a  bow  ;    the  devil  made  you  a  shooter. 

Now  mercy,  fair  sir,  said  the  lady,  I  am  a  gentlewoman 
that  useth  here  in  this  forest  hunting,  and  God  knoweth  I 
saw  ye  not  ;  but  as  here  was  a  barren  hind  at  the  soil  in 
this  well,  and  I  weened  to  have  done  well,  but  my  hand 
swerved.  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  have  mischieved  me. 
And  so  the  lady  departed,  and  Sir  Launcelot,  as  he  might, 
pulled  out  the  arrow,  and  so  he  went  weakly  to  the  hermitage 
ever  more  bleeding  as  he  went.  And  when  Sir  Lavaine  and 
the  hermit  espied  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  hurt,  wit  you  well 
they  were  passing  heavy.  Then  with  great  pain  the  hermit 
gat  out  the  arrow's  head  out  of  Sir  Launcelot's  thigh,  and 
much  of  his  blood  he  shed  ;  and  the  wound  was  passing  sore, 
and  unhappily  smitten  ;  for  it  was  in  such  a  place  that  he 
might  not  sit  in  no  saddle.  Now  so  heaven  me  help,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  I  shall  be  in  the  field  upon  Candlemas  Day 
at  the  jousts,  whatsomever  fall  of  it.  So  all  that  might  be 
gotten  to  heal  Sir  Launcelot  was  had. 

So  when  the  day  was  come  Sir  Launcelot  let  devise  that 
he  was  arrayed,  and  Sir  Lavaine,  and  their  horses,  as  though 
they  had  been  Saracens.  Then  they  blew  to  the  field  ; 
and  there  the  King  of  Northgalis  encountered  with  the 
King  of  Scots,  and  there  the  King  of  Scots  had  a  fall  ;  and 
the  King  of  Ireland  smote  down  King  Uriens  ;  and  the 
King  of  Northumberland  smote  down  King  Howel  of 
Brittany  ;  and  Sir  Galahad,  the  haut  prince,  smote  down 
Chaleins  of  Clarance.  And  then  King  Arthur  was  wood 
wroth,  and  ran  to  the  King  with  the  Hundred  Knights, 
and  there  King  Arthur  smote  him  down  ;  and  after  with 
that  same  spear  King  Arthur  smote  down  three  other  knights. 

All  this  doing  saw  Sir  Launcelot,  and  then  he  came  into 


4H   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

the  field  with  Sir  Lavaine  as  it  had  been  thunder.  And 
then  anon  Sir  Bors  and  the  knights  of  his  blood  espied  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  said  to  them  all  :  I  warn  you  beware  of  him 
with  the  sleeve  of  gold  upon  his  head,  for  he  is  himself  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake  ;  and  for  great  goodness  Sir  Bors  warned 
Sir  Gareth.  I  am  well  apaid,  said  Sir  Gareth,  that  I  may 
know  him.  But  who  is  he,  said  they  all,  that  rideth  with 
him  in  the  same  array  ?  That  is  the  good  and  gentle  knight 
Sir  Lavaine,  said  Sir  Bors.  So  Sir  Launcelot  encountered 
with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  there  by  force  Sir  Launcelot  smote 
down  Sir  Gawaine  and  his  horse  to  the  earth,  and  so  he 
smote  down  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Gaheris,  and  also  he 
smote  down  Sir  Mordred,  and  all  this  was  with  one  spear. 
Then  Sir  Lavaine  met  with  Sir  Palomides,  and  either  met 
other  so  hard  and  so  fiercely  that  both  their  horses  fell  to 
the  earth.  And  then  were  they  horsed  again,  and  then 
met  Sir  Launcelot  with  Sir  Palomides,  and  there  Sir  Palo- 
mides had  a  fall ;  and  so  Sir  Launcelot  or  ever  he  stint,  as 
fast  as  he  might  get  spears,  he  smote  down  thirty  knights, 
and  the  most  part  of  them  were  knights  of  the  Table  Round  ; 
and  ever  the  knights  of  his  blood  withdrew  them,  and  made 
them  ado  in  other  places  where  Sir  Launcelot  came  not. 

And  then  King  Arthur  was  wroth  when  he  saw  Sir 
Launcelot  do  such  deeds  ;  and  then  the  king  called  unto 
him  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Mordred,  Sir  Kay,  Sir  Griflet,  Sir 
Lucan  the  Buder,  Sir  Bedevere,  Sir  Palomides,  Sir  Safere, 
his  brother  ;  and  so  the  king  with  these  nine  knights  made 
them  ready  to  set  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  upon  Sir  Lavaine. 
All  this  espied  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Gareth.  Now  I  dread  me 
sore,  said  Sir  Bors,  that  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  will  be 
hard  matched.  By  my  head,  said  Sir  Gareth,  I  will  ride 
unto  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  for  to  help  him,  fall  of  him 


OF  THE  JOUSTS  AT  CANDLEMAS        415 

what  fall  may,  for  he  is  the  same  man  that  made  me  knight. 
Ye  shall  not  so,  said  Sir  Bors,  by  my  counsel,  unless  that  ye 
were  disguised.  Ye  shall  see  me  disguised,  said  Sir  Gareth  ; 
and  therewithal  he  espied  a  Welsh  knight  where  he  was  to 
repose  him,  and  he  was  sore  hurt  afore  by  Sir  Gawaine,  and 
to  him  Sir  Gareth  rode,  and  prayed  him  of  his  knighthood 
to  lend  him  his  shield  for  his.  I  will  well,  said  the  Welsh 
knight.  And  when  Sir  Gareth  had  his  shield,  the  book 
saith  it  was  green,  with  a  maiden  that  seemed  in  it. 

Then  Sir  Gareth  came  driving  to  Sir  Launcelot  all  that 
he  might  and  said  :  Knight,  keep  thyself,  for  yonder  cometh 
King  Arthur  with  nine  noble  knights  with  him  to  put  you 
to  a  rebuke,  and  so  I  am  come  to  bear  you  fellowship  for 
old  love  ye  have  shewed  me.  Gramercy,  said  Sir  Launcelot. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Gareth,  encounter  ye  with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  I 
shall  encounter  with  Sir  Palomides  ;  and  let  Sir  Lavaine 
match  with  the  noble  King  Arthur.  And  when  we  have 
delivered  them,  let  us  three  hold  us  sadly  together.  Then 
came  King  Arthur  with  his  nine  knights  with  him,  and  Sir 
Launcelot  encountered  with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  gave  him 
such  a  buffet  that  the  arson  of  his  saddle  brast,  and  Sir 
Gawaine  fell  to  the  earth.  Then  Sir  Gareth  encountered 
with  the  good  knight  Sir  Palomides,  and  he  gave  him  such 
a  buffet  that  both  his  horse  and  he  dashed  to  the  earth. 
Then  encountered  King  Arthur  with  Sir  Lavaine,  and  there 
either  of  them  smote  other  to  the  earth,  horse  and  all,  that 
they  lay  a  great  while.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  smote  down 
Sir  Agravaine,  and  Sir  Gaheris,  and  Sir  Mordred  ;  and  Sir 
Gareth  smote  down  Sir  Kay,  and  Sir  Safere,  and  Sir  Griflet. 
And  then  Sir  Lavaine  was  horsed  again,  and  he  smote  down 
Sir  Lucan  the  Buder  and  Sir  Bedevere  ;  and  then  there 
began  great  throng  of  good  knights. 


4i 6   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

So  this  tournament  and  this  jousts  dured  long,  till  it  was 
near  night,  for  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  relieved 
ever  unto  King  Arthur  ;  for  the  king  was  wroth  out  of 
measure  that  he  and  his  knights  might  not  prevail  that  day. 
Then  Sir  Gawaine  said  to  the  king  :  I  marvel  where  all 
this  day  be  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  and  his  fellowship  of  Sir  Launce- 
lot's  blood,  I  marvel  all  this  day  they  be  not  about  you  :  it 
is  for  some  cause  said  Sir  Gawaine.  By  my  head,  said  Sir 
Kay,  Sir  Bors  is  yonder  all  this  day  upon  the  right  hand  of 
this  field,  and  there  he  and  his  blood  do  more  worshipfully 
than  we  do.  It  may  well  be,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  but  I  dread 
me  ever  of  guile  ;  for  on  pain  of  my  life,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
this  knight  with  the  red  sleeve  of  gold  is  himself  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  see  well  by  his  riding  and  by  his  great  strokes  ;  and  the 
other  knight  in  the  same  colours  is  the  good  young  knight, 
Sir  Lavaine.  Also  that  knight  with  the  green  shield  is  my 
brother,  Sir  Gareth,  and  yet  he  hath  disguised  himself,  for 
no  man  shall  never  make  him  be  against  Sir  Launcelot, 
because  he  made  him  knight.  By  my  head,  said  Arthur, 
nephew,  I  believe  you  ;  therefore  tell  me  now  what  is  your 
best  counsel.  Sir,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  ye  shall  have  my  counsel: 
let  blow  unto  lodging,  for  an  he  be  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake, 
and  my  brother,  Sir  Gareth,  with  him,  with  the  help  of  that 
good  young  knight,  Sir  Lavaine,  trust  me  truly  it  will  be 
no  boot  to  strive  with  them  but  if  we  should  fall  ten  or 
twelve  upon  one  knight,  and  that  were  no  worship,  but 
shame.  Ye  say  truth,  said  the  king  ;  and  for  to  say  sooth, 
said  the  king,  it  were  shame  to  us  so  many  as  we  be  to  set 
upon  them  any  more  ;  for  wit  ye  well,  said  King  Arthur, 
they  be  three  good  knights,  and  namely  that  knight  with 
the  sleeve  of  gold. 

So  then  they  blew  into  lodging  ;    but  forthwithal  King 


HOW  ARTHUR  FOUND  LAUNCELOT     417 

Arthur  let  send  unto  the  four  kings,  and  to  the  mighty 
duke,  and  prayed  them  that  the  knight  with  the  sleeve  of 
gold  depart  not  from  them,  but  that  the  king  may  speak 
with  him.  Then  forthwithal  King  Arthur  alighted  and 
unarmed  him,  and  took  a  litde  hackney  and  rode  after 
Sir  Launcelot,  for  ever  he  had  a  spy  upon  him.  And  so 
he  found  him  among  the  four  kings  and  the  duke  ;  and 
there  the  king  prayed  them  all  unto  supper,  and  they  said 
they  would  with  good  will.  And  when  they  were  unarmed 
then  King  Arthur  knew  Sir  Launcelot,  Sir  Lavaine,  and 
Sir  Gareth.  Ah,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  King  Arthur,  this  day 
ye  have  heated  me  and  my  knights. 

So  they  went  unto  Arthur's  lodging  all  together,  and 
there  was  a  great  feast  and  great  revel,  and  the  prize  was 
given  unto  Sir  Launcelot  ;  and  by  heralds  they  named 
him  that  he  had  smitten  down  fifty  knights,  and  Sir  Gareth 
five-and-thirty,  and  Sir  Lavaine  four-and-twenty  knights. 
Then  Arthur  blamed  Sir  Gareth  because  he  left  his  fellowship 
and  held  with  Sir  Launcelot.  My  lord,  said  Sir  Gareth, 
he  made  me  a  knight,  and  when  I  saw  him  so  hard  bestead, 
methought  it  was  my  worship  to  help  him,  for  I  saw  him 
do  so  much,  and  so  many  noble  knights  against  him  ;  and 
when  I  understood  that  he  was  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  I 
shamed  to  see  so  many  knights  against  him  alone.  Truly, 
said  King  Arthur  unto  Sir  Gareth,  ye  say  well,  and  worship- 
fully  have  ye  done  and  to  yourself  great  worship  ;  and  all 
the  days  of  my  life,  said  King  Arthur  unto  Sir  Gareth, 
wit  you  well  I  shall  love  you,  and  trust  you  the  more  better. 
For  ever,  said  Arthur,  it  is  a  worshipful  knight's  deed  to 
help  another  worshipful  knight  when  he  seeth  him  in  a 
great  danger  ;  for  ever  a  worshipful  man  will  be  loath  to 
see  a  worshipful  man  shamed  ;   and  he  that  is  of  no  worship, 


4i8   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

and  fareth  with  cowardice,  never  shall  he  show  gentleness, 
nor  no  manner  of  goodness  where  he  seeth  a  man  in  any 
danger,  for  then  ever  will  a  coward  show  no  mercy  ;  and 
always  a  good  man  will  do  ever  to  another  man  as  he  would 
be  done  to  himself.  So  then  there  were  great  feasts  unto 
kings  and  dukes,  and  revel,  game,  and  play,  and  all  manner 
of  noblesse  was  used  ;  and  he  that  was  courteous,  true,  and 
faithful,  to  his  friend  was  that  time  cherished. 

OF  THE  MONTH  OF  MAY  AND  OF 
TRUE  LOVERS,  AND  HOW  QUEEN 
GUENEVER  RODE  A-MAYING  WITH 
CERTAIN  KNIGHTS  OF  THE  ROUND 
TABLE,  AND  CLAD  ALL  IN  GREEN, 
AND  HOW  SIR  MELIAGRANCE  TOOK  THE 
QUEEN  AND  HER  KNIGHTS.  And  thus  it  passed 
on  from  Candlemas  until  after  Easter,  that  the  month 
of  May  was  come,  when  every  lusty  heart  beginneth  to 
blossom,  and  to  bring  forth  fruit ;  for  like  as  herbs  and 
trees  bring  forth  fruit  and  flourish  in  May,  in  like  wise 
every  lusty  heart,  that  is  in  any  manner  a  lover,  springeth 
and  flourisheth  in  lusty  deeds.  For  it  giveth  unto  all 
lovers  courage,  that  lusty  month  of  May,  in  something 
to  constrain  him  to  some  manner  of  thing  more  in  that 
month  than  in  any  other  month,  for  divers  causes.  For 
then  all  herbs  and  trees  renew  a  man  and  woman,  and 
likewise  lovers  call  again  to  their  mind  old  gentleness  and 
old  service,  and  many  kind  deeds  that  were  forgotten  by 
negligence.  For  like  as  winter  rasure  doth  alway  arase  and 
deface  green  summer,  so  fareth  it  by  unstable  love  in  man 
and  woman.  For  in  many  persons  there  is  no  stability  ;  for 
we  may  see  all  day,  for  a  little  blast  of  winter's  rasure,  anon 


HOW  LOVE  IS  LIKENED  TO  SUMMER   419 

we  shall  deface  and  lay  apart  true  love  for  little  or  nought, 
that  cost  much  thing  ;  this  is  no  wisdom  nor  stability,  but 
it  is  feebleness  of  nature  and  great  disworship,  whosomever 
useth  this.  Therefore,  like  as  May  month  flowereth  and 
flourisheth  in  many  gardens,  so  in  like  wise  let  every  man 
of  worship  flourish  his  heart  in  this  world,  first  unto  God, 
and  next  unto  the  joy  of  them  that  he  promised  his  faith 
unto  ;  for  there  was  never  worshipful  man  or  worshipful 
woman,  but  they  loved  one  better  than  another  ;  and  worship 
in  arms  may  never  be  foiled,  but  first  reserve  the  honour 
to  God,  and  secondly  the  quarrel  must  come  of  thy  lady  : 
and  such  love  I  call  virtuous  love. 

But  nowadays  men  can  not  love  seven  night  but  they 
must  have  all  their  desires  :  that  love  may  not  endure  by 
reason  ;  for  where  they  be  soon  accorded  and  hasty  heat, 
soon  it  cooleth.  Right  so  fareth  love  nowadays,  soon  hot 
soon  cold  :  this  is  no  stability.  But  the  old  love  was  not 
so  ;  men  and  women  could  love  together  seven  years,  and 
no  wanton  lusts  were  between  them,  and  then  was  love 
truth  and  faithfulness  :  and  lo,  in  like  wise  was  used  love 
in  King  Arthur's  days.  Wherefore  I  liken  love  nowadays 
unto  summer  and  winter  ;  for  like  as  the  one  is  hot  and  the 
other  cold,  so  fareth  love  nowadays.  Therefore  all  ye  that 
be  lovers  call  unto  your  remembrance  the  month  of  May, 
like  as  did  Queen  Guenever,  for  whom  I  make  here  a  little 
mention,  that  while  she  lived  she  was  a  true  lover,  and 
therefore  she  had  a  good  end. 

So  it  befell  in  the  month  of  May,  Queen  Guenever  called 
unto  her  knights  of  the  Table  Round,  and  she  gave  them 
warning  that  early  upon  the  morrow  she  would  ride  a- 
Maying  into  woods  and  fields  beside  Westminster.  And  I 
warn  you  that  there  be  none  of  you  but  that  he  be  well 


42o   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

horsed,  and  that  ye  all  be  clothed  in  green,  outher  in  silk 
outher  in  cloth  ;  and  I  shall  bring  with  me  ten  ladies,  and 
every  knight  shall  have  a  lady  behind  him,  and  every  knight 
shall  have  a  squire  and  two  yeomen  ;  and  I  will  that  ye 
all  be  well  horsed.  So  they  made  them  ready  in  the  freshest 
manner.  And  these  were  the  names  of  the  knights  :  Sir 
Kay  le  Seneschal,  Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Sagramore 
le  Desirous,  Sir  Dodinas  le  Savage,  Sir  Ozanna  le  Cure 
Hardy,  Sir  Ladinas  of  the  Forest  Savage,  Sir  Persant  of 
Inde,,  Sir  Ironside,  that  was  called  the  Knight  of  the  Red 
Launds,  and  Sir  Pelleas,  the  lover  ;  and  these  ten  knights 
made  them  ready  in  the  freshest  manner  to  ride  with  the 
queen.  And  so  upon  the  morn  they  took  their  horses  with 
the  queen,  and  rode  a-Maying  in  woods  and  meadows  as  it 
pleased  them,  in  great  joy  and  delights  ;  for  the  queen  had 
cast  to  have  been  again  with  King  Arthur  at  the  furthest 
by  ten  of  the  clock,  and  so  was  that  time  her  purpose. 

Then  there  was  a  knight  that  hight  Meliagrance,  and 
he  was  son  unto  King  Bagdemagus,  and  this  knight  had  at 
that  time  a  castle  of  the  gift  of  King  Arthur  within  seven 
mile  of  Westminster.  And  this  knight,  Sir  Meliagrance, 
loved  passing  well  Queen  Guenever,  and  so  had  he  done 
long  and  many  years.  And  the  book  saith  he  had  lain  in 
await  for  to  steal  away  the  queen,  but  evermore  he  for- 
bare  for  because  of  Sir  Launcelot  ;  for  in  no  wise  he  would 
meddle  with  the  queen  an  Sir  Launcelot  were  in  her 
company,  or  else  an  he  were  near-hand  her.  And  that 
time  was  such  a  custom  the  queen  rode  never  without  a 
great  fellowship  of  men  of  arms  about  her,  and  they  were 
many  good  knights,  and  the  most  part  were  young  men 
that  would  have  worship  ;  and  they  were  called  the  Queen's 
Knights,  and  never  in  no  battle,   tournament,  nor  jousts, 


I 


How  Queen  Guenever  rode  a-Maying  into  the  woods  and  fields 
beside  Westminster. 

To  face  page  42a. 


' 


■ 


HOW  THE  QUEEN  WAS  TAKEN         421 

they  bare  none  of  them  no  manner  of  knowledging  of  their 
own  arms,  but  plain  white  shields,  and  thereby  they  were 
called  the  Queen's  Knights.  And  then  when  it  happed 
any  of  them  to  be  of  great  worship  by  his  noble  deeds, 
then  at  the  next  Feast  of  Pentecost,  if  there  were  any  slain 
or  dead,  as  there  was  none  year  that  there  failed  but  some 
were  dead,  then  was  there  chosen  in  his  stead  that  was  dead 
the  most  men  of  worship,  that  were  called  the  Queen's 
Knights.  And  thus  they  came  up  all  first,  ere  they  were 
renowned  men  of  worship,  both  Sir  Launcelot  and  all  the 
remnant  of  them. 

But  this  knight,  Sir  Meliagrance,  had  espied  the  queen 
well  and  her  purpose,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  was  not  with 
her,  and  how  she  had  no  men  of  arms  with  her  but  the  ten 
noble  knights  all  arrayed  in  green  for  Maying.  Then  he 
purveyed  him  a  twenty  men  of  arms  and  an  hundred  archers 
for  to  destroy  the  queen  and  her  knights,  for  he  thought 
that  time  was  best  season  to  take  the  queen. 

So  as  the  queen  had  mayed  and  all  her  knights,  all  were 
bedashed  with  herbs,  mosses  and  flowers,  in  the  best  manner 
and  freshest.  Right  so  came  out  of  a  wood  Sir  Meliagrance 
with  an  eight  score  men  well  harnessed,  as  they  should  fight 
in  a  battle  of  arrest,  and  bade  the  queen  and  her  knights 
abide,  for  maugre  their  heads  they  should  abide.  Traitor 
knight,  said  Queen  Guenever,  what  cast  thou  for  to  do  ? 
Wilt  thou  shame  thyself?  Bethink  thee  how  thou  art  a 
king's  son,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round,  and  thou  to  be 
about  to  dishonour  the  noble  king  that  made  thee  knight ; 
thou  shamest  all  knighthood  and  thyself ;  and  me,  I  let  thee 
wit,  shalt  thou  never  shame,  for  I  had  liefer  cut  mine  own 
throat  in  twain  rather  than  thou  shouldest  dishonour  me. 
As  for  all  this  language,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  be  it  as  it  be 

2F 


422   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

may,  for  wit  you  well,  madam,  I  have  loved  you  many  a 
year,  and  never  or  now  could  I  get  you  at  such  an  advantage 
as  I  do  now,  and  therefore  I  will  take  you  as  I  find  you. 

Then  spake  all  the  ten  noble  knights  at  once  and  said  : 
Sir  Meliagrance,  wit  thou  well  ye  are  about  to  jeopard  your 
worship  to  dishonour,  and  also  ye  cast  to  jeopard  our  persons 
howbeit  we  be  unarmed.  Ye  have  us  at  a  great  avail,  for 
it  seemeth  by  you  that  ye  have  laid  watch  upon  us  ;  but 
rather  than  ye  should  put  the  queen  to  a  shame  and  us  all, 
we  had  as  lief  to  depart  from  our  lives,  for  an  if  we  other 
ways  did,  we  were  shamed  for  ever.  Then  said  Sir  Melia- 
grance :  Dress  you  as  well  ye  can,  and  keep  the  queen. 
Then  the  ten  knights  of  the  Table  Round  drew  their  swords, 
and  the  other  let  run  at  them  with  their  spears,  and  the  ten 
knights  manly  abode  them,  and  smote  away  their  spears 
that  no  spear  did  them  none  harm.  Then  they  lashed 
together  with  swords,  and  anon  Sir  Kay,  Sir  Sagramore, 
Sir  Agravaine,  Sir  Dodinas,  Sir  Ladinas,  and  Sir  Ozanna 
were  smitten  to  the  earth  with  grimly  wounds.  Then  Sir 
Brandiles,  and  Sir  Persant,  Sir  Ironside,  Sir  Pelleas  fought 
long,  and  they  were  sore  wounded  ;  for  these  ten  knights, 
or  ever  they  were  laid  to  the  ground,  slew  forty  men  of  the 
boldest  and  the  best  of  them. 

So  when  the  queen  saw  her  knights  thus  dolefully 
wounded,  and  needs  must  be  slain  at  the  last,  then  for  pity 
and  sorrow  she  cried  Sir  Meliagrance  :  Slay  not  my  noble 
knights,  and  I  will  go  with  thee  upon  this  covenant,  that 
thou  save  them,  and  suffer  them  not  to  be  more  hurt,  with 
this,  that  they  be  led  with  me  wheresomever  thou  leadest 
me,  for  I  will  rather  slay  myself  than  I  will  go  with  thee, 
unless  that  these  my  noble  knights  may  be  in  my  presence. 
Madam,  said  Meliagrance,  for  your  sake  they  shall  be  led 


HOW  THE  QUEEN  SENT  FOR  LAUNCELOT  423 

with  you  into  mine  own  castle,  with  that  ye  will  be  ruled 
and  ride  with  me.  Then  the  queen  prayed  the  four  knights 
to  leave  their  fighting,  and  she  and  they  would  not  depart. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Pelleas,  we  will  do  as  ye  do,  for  as  for  me 
I  take  no  force  of  my  life  nor  death.  For  as  the  French 
book  saith,  Sir  Pelleas  gave  such  buffets  there  that  none 
armour  might  hold  him. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  HAD  WORD  HOW 
THE  QUEEN  WAS  TAKEN,  AND  HOW  SIR 
MELIAGRANCE  LAID  A  BUSHMENT  FOR 
LAUNCELOT,  SO  THAT  HIS  HORSE  WAS  SLAIN, 
AND  HE  RODE  IN  A  CART  TO  SAVE  THE  QUEEN. 
Then  by  the  queen's  commandment  they  left  battle,  and 
dressed  the  wounded  knights  on  horseback,  some  sitting, 
some  overthwart  their  horses,  that  it  was  pity  to  behold 
them.  And  then  Sir  Meliagrance  charged  the  queen  and 
all  her  knights  that  none  of  all  her  fellowship  should  depart 
from  her  ;  for  full  sore  he  dread  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake, 
lest  he  should  have  any  knowledging.  All  this  espied  the 
queen,  and  privily  she  called  unto  her  a  child  of  her  chamber 
that  was  swiftly  horsed,  to  whom  she  said  :  Go  thou,  when 
thou  seest  thy  time,  and  bear  this  ring  unto  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake,  and  pray  him  as  he  loveth  me  that  he  will  see  me 
and  rescue  me,  if  ever  he  will  have  joy  of  me  ;  and  spare 
not  thy  horse,  said  the  queen,  neither  for  water,  neither  for 
land.  So  the  child  espied  his  time,  and  lightly  he  took 
his  horse  with  the  spurs,  and  departed  as  fast  as  he  might. 
And  when  Sir  Meliagrance  saw  him  so  flee,  he  understood 
that  it  was  by  the  queen's  commandment  for  to  warn  Sir 
Launcelot.  Then  they  that  were  best  horsed  chased  him 
and  shot  at  him,  but  from  them  all  the  child  went  suddenly. 


424   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

And  then  Sir  Meliagrance  said  to  the  queen  :  Madam,  ye 
are  about  to  betray  me,  but  I  shall  ordain  for  Sir  Launcelot 
that  he  shall  not  come  lighdy  at  you.  And  then  he  rode 
with  her,  and  they  all,  to  his  casde,  in  all  the  haste  that  they 
might.  And  by  the  way  Sir  Meliagrance  laid  in  an  embush- 
ment  the  best  archers  that  he  might  get  in  his  country,  to 
the  number  of  thirty,  to  await  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  charging 
them  that  if  they  saw  such  a  manner  of  knight  come  by  the 
way  upon  a  white  horse,  that  in  any  wise  they  slay  his  horse, 
but  in  no  manner  of  wise  have  not  ado  with  him  bodily,  for 
he  is  over-hardy  to  be  overcome. 

So  this  was  done,  and  they  were  come  to  his  casde,  but 
in  no  wise  the  queen  would  never  let  none  of  the  ten  knights 
and  her  ladies  out  of  her  sight,  but  always  they  were  in  her 
presence  ;  for  the  book  saith,  Sir  Meliagrance  durst  make 
no  masteries,  for  dread  of  Sir  Launcelot,  insomuch  he  deemed 
that  he  had  warning.  So  when  the  child  was  departed 
from  the  fellowship  of  Sir  Meliagrance,  within  a  while  he 
came  to  Westminster,  and  anon  he  found  Sir  Launcelot. 
And  when  he  had  told  his  message,  and  delivered  him  the 
queen's  ring  :  Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  now  I  am  shamed 
for  ever,  unless  that  I  may  rescue  that  noble  lady  from 
dishonour.  Then  eagerly  he  asked  his  armour  ;  and  ever 
the  child  told  Sir  Launcelot  how  the  ten  knights  fought 
marvellously,  and  how  Sir  Pelleas,  and  Sir  Ironside,  and  Sir 
Brandiles,  and  Sir  Persant  of  Inde,  fought  strongly,  but 
namely  Sir  Pelleas,  there  might  none  withstand  him  ;  and 
how  they  all  fought  till  at  the  last  they  were  laid  to  the 
earth  ;  and  then  the  queen  made  appointment  for  to  save 
their  lives,  and  go  with  Sir  Meliagrance. 

Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  most  noble  lady,  that  she 
should  be  so  destroyed  ;    I  had  liefer,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 


HOW  LAUNCELOTS  HORSE  WAS  SLAIN  425 

than  all  France,  that  I  had  been  there  well  armed.  So  when 
Sir  Launcelot  was  armed  and  upon  his  horse,  he  prayed 
the  child  of  the  queen's  chamber  to  warn  Sir  Lavaine  how 
suddenly  he  was  departed,  and  for  what  cause.  And  pray 
him  as  he  loveth  me,  that  he  will  hie  him  after  me,  and  that 
he  stint  not  until  he  come  to  the  castle  where  Sir  Meliagrance 
abideth,  or  dwelleth  ;  for  there,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  he  shall 
hear  of  me  an  I  am  a  man  living,  and  rescue  the  queen  and 
the  ten  knights  the  which  he  traitorously  hath  taken,  and 
that  shall  I  prove  upon  his  head,  and  all  them  that  hold  with 
him. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  rode  as  fast  as  he  might,  and  the 
book  saith  he  took  the  water  at  Westminster  Bridge,  and 
made  his  horse  to  swim  over  Thames  unto  Lambeth.  And 
then  within  a  while  he  came  to  the  same  place  thereas  the 
ten  noble  knights  fought  with  Sir  Meliagrance.  And  then 
Sir  Launcelot  followed  the  track  until  that  he  came  to  a 
wood,  and  there  was  a  strait  way,  and  there  the  thirty 
archers  bade  Sir  Launcelot  turn  again,  and  follow  no  longer 
that  track.  What  commandment  have  ye  thereto,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  to  cause  me  that  am  a  knight  of  the  Round 
Table  to  leave  my  right  way  ?  This  way  shalt  thou  leave, 
other-else  thou  shalt  go  it  on  thy  foot,  for  wit  thou  well  thy 
horse  shall  be  slain.  That  is  litde  mastery,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
to  slay  mine  horse  ;  but  as  for  myself,  when  my  horse  is 
slain,  I  give  right  nought  for  you,  not  an  ye  were  five  hundred 
more.  So  then  they  shot  Sir  Launcelot's  horse,  and  smote 
him  with  many  arrows  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  avoided 
his  horse,  and  went  on  foot ;  but  there  were  so  many  ditches 
and  hedges  betwixt  them  and  him  that  he  might  not  meddle 
with  none  of  them.  Alas  for  shame,  said  Launcelot,  that 
ever  one  knight  should  betray  another  knight  ;    but  it  is 


426   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

an  old  saw,  A  good  man  is  never  in  danger  but  when  he  is 
in  the  danger  of  a  coward.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  went  a 
while,  and  then  he  was  foul  cumbered  of  his  armour,  his 
shield,  and  his  spear,  and  all  that  longed  unto  him.  Wit 
ye  well  he  was  full  sore  annoyed,  and  full  loath  he  was  for 
to  leave  anything  that  longed  unto  him,  for  he  dread  sore 
the  treason  of  Sir  Meliagrance. 

Then  by  fortune  there  came  by  him  a  chariot  that  came 
thither  for  to  fetch  wood.  Say  me,  carter,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
what  shall  I  give  thee  to  suffer  me  to  leap  into  thy  chariot, 
and  that  thou  bring  me  unto  a  castle  within  this  two  mile  ? 
Thou  shalt  not  come  within  my  chariot,  said  the  carter, 
for  I  am  sent  for  to  fetch  wood  for  my  lord,  Sir  Meliagrance. 
With  him  would  I  speak.  Thou  shalt  not  go  with  me,  said 
the  carter.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  leapt  to  him,  and  gave 
him  such  a  buffet  that  he  fell  to  the  earth  stark  dead.  Then 
the  other  carter,  his  fellow,  was  afeard,  and  weened  to  have 
gone  the  same  way ;  and  then  he  cried  :  Fair  lord,  save 
my  life,  and  I  shall  bring  you  where  ye  will.  Then  I  charge 
thee,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  thou  drive  me  and  this  chariot 
even  unto  Sir  Meliagrance's  gate.  Leap  up  into  the  chariot, 
said  the  carter,  and  ye  shall  be  there  anon.  So  the  carter 
drove  on  a  great  wallop,  and  Sir  Launcelot's  horse  followed 
the  chariot,  with  more  than  a  forty  arrows  broad  and  rough 
in  him. 

And  more  than  an  hour  and  an  half  Dame  Guenever 
was  awaiting  in  a  bay  window  with  her  ladies,  and  espied 
an  armed  knight  standing  in  a  chariot.  See,  madam,  said 
a  lady,  where  rideth  in  a  chariot  a  goodly  armed  knight ; 
I  suppose  he  rideth  unto  hanging.  Where  ?  said  the  queen. 
Then  she  espied  by  his  shield  that  he  was  there  himself, 
Sir  Launcelot  du   Lake.     And   then  she  was  ware  where 


OF  MELIAGRANCE  AND  THE  QUEEN    427 

came  his  horse  ever  after  that  chariot,  with  the  forty  arrows 
in  him.  Alas,  said  the  queen,  now  I  see  well  and  prove, 
that  well  is  him  that  hath  a  trusty  friend.  Ha,  ha,  most 
noble  knight,  said  Queen  Guenever,  I  see  well  thou  art 
hard  bestead  when  thou  ridest  in  a  chariot.  Then  she 
rebuked  that  lady  that  likened  Sir  Launcelot  to  ride  in 
a  chariot  to  hanging.  It  was  foul  mouthed,  said  the 
queen,  and  evil  likened,  so  for  to  liken  the  most  noble 
knight  of  the  world  unto  such  a  shameful  death.  O  Jesu 
defend  him  and  keep  him,  said  the  queen,  from  all  mis- 
chievous end.  By  this  was  Sir  Launcelot  come  to  the  gates 
of  that  castle,  and  there  he  descended  down,  and  cried, 
that  all  the  castle  rang  of  it  :  Where  art  thou,  false  traitor, 
Sir  Meliagrance,  and  knight  of  the  Table  Round  ?  now 
come  forth  here,  thou  traitor  knight,  thou  and  thy  fellowship 
with  thee  ;  for  here  I  am,  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  that  shall 
fight  with  you.  And  therewithal  he  bare  the  gate  wide 
open  upon  the  porter,  and  smote  him  under  his  ear  with 
his  gauntlet,  that  his  neck  brast  a-sunder. 

HOW  SIR  MELIAGRANCE  REQUIRED 
FORGIVENESS  OF  THE  QUEEN,  AND 
HOW  SHE  APPEASED  SIR  LAUNCE- 
LOT, AND  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT 
CAME  IN  THE  NIGHT  TO  THE  QUEEN, 
AND  HOW  SIR  MELIAGRANCE  AP- 
PEACHED  HER  OF  TREASON.  When  Sir  Melia- 
grance heard  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  there  he  ran  unto 
Queen  Guenever,  and  fell  upon  his  knee,  and  said  : 
Mercy,  madam,  now  I  put  me  wholly  into  your  grace. 
What  aileth  you  now  ?  said  Queen  Guenever ;  forsooth 
I  might  well  wit   some   good   knight  would  revenge  me, 


428   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

though  my  lord  Arthur  wist  not  of  this  your  work. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  all  this  that  is  amiss  on  my 
part  shall  be  amended  right  as  yourself  will  devise,  and 
wholly  I  put  me  in  your  grace.  What  would  ye  that  I 
did  ?  said  the  queen.  I  would  no  more,  said  Meliagrance, 
but  that  ye  would  take  all  in  your  own  hands,  and  that  ye 
will  rule  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  such  cheer  as  may 
be  made  him  in  this  poor  castle  ye  and  he  shall  have  until 
to-morn,  and  then  may  ye  and  all  they  return  unto  West- 
minster ;  and  my  body  and  all  that  I  have  I  shall  put  in 
your  rule.  Ye  say  well,  said  the  queen,  and  better  is  peace 
than  ever  war,  and  the  less  noise  the  more  is  my  worship. 

Then  the  queen  and  her  ladies  went  down  unto  the 
knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  that  stood  wroth  out  of  measure  in 
the  inner  court,  to  abide  battle  ;  and  ever  he  bade  :  Thou 
traitor  knight  come  forth.  Then  the  queen  came  to  him 
and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  why  be  ye  so  moved  ?  Ha, 
madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  why  ask  ye  me  that  question  ? 
Meseemeth,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  ought  to  be  more  wroth 
than  I  am,  for  ye  have  the  hurt  and  the  dishonour,  for  wit 
ye  well,  madam,  my  hurt  is  but  little  for  the  killing  of  a 
mare's  son,  but  the  despite  grieveth  me  much  more  than 
all  my  hurt.  Truly,  said  the  queen,  ye  say  truth  ;  but 
heartily  I  thank  you,  said  the  queen,  but  ye  must  come  in 
with  me  peaceably,  for  all  thing  is  put  in  my  hand,  and  all 
that  is  evil  shall  be  for  the  best,  for  the  knight  full  sore 
repenteth  him  of  the  misadventure  that  is  befallen  him. 
Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  sith  it  is  so  that  ye  been  accorded 
with  him,  as  for  me  I  may  not  be  again  it,  howbeit  Sir 
Meliagrance  hath  done  full  shamefully  to  me,  and  cowardly. 
Ah  madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  an  I  had  wist  ye  would  have 
been  so  soon  accorded  with  him,  I  would  not  have  made 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  THE  QUEEN  429 

such  haste  unto  you.  Why  say  ye  so,  said  the  queen,  do 
ye  forthink  yourself  of  your  good  deeds  ?  Wit  you  well, 
said  the  queen,  I  accorded  never  unto  him  for  favour  nor 
love  that  I  had  unto  him,  but  for  to  lay  down  every  shameful 
noise.  Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  understand  full  well 
I  was  never  willing  nor  glad  of  shameful  slander  nor  noise  ; 
and  there  is  neither  king,  queen,  nor  knight,  that  beareth 
the  life,  except  my  lord  King  Arthur,  and  you,  madam, 
should  let  me,  but  I  should  make  Sir  Meliagrance's  heart 
full  cold  or  ever  I  departed  from  hence.  That  wot  I  well, 
said  the  queen,  but  what  will  ye  more  ?  Ye  shall  have  all 
thing  ruled  as  ye  list  to  have  it.  Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
so  ye  be  pleased  I  care  not,  as  for  my  part  ye  shall  soon 
please. 

Right  so  the  queen  took  Sir  Launcelot  by  the  bare 
hand,  for  he  had  put  off  his  gauntlet,  and  so  she  went  with 
him  till  her  chamber  ;  and  then  she  commanded  him  to  be 
unarmed.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  asked  where  were  the 
ten  knights  that  were  wounded  sore  ;  so  she  showed  them 
unto  Sir  Launcelot,  and  there  they  made  great  joy  of  the 
coming  of  him,  and  Sir  Launcelot  made  great  dole  of  their 
hurts,  and  bewailed  them  greatly.  And  there  Sir  Launcelot 
told  them  how  cowardly  and  traitorly  Meliagrance  set  archers 
to  slay  his  horse,  and  how  he  was  fain  to  put  himself  in  a 
chariot.  Thus  they  complained  everych  to  other  ;  and 
full  fain  they  would  have  been  revenged,  but  they  peaced 
themselves  because  of  the  queen.  Then,  as  the  French 
book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  was  called  many  a  day  after  le 
Chevaler  du  Chariot,  and  did  many  deeds,  and  great  adven- 
tures he  had.  And  so  leave  we  of  this  tale  le  Chevaler  du 
Chariot,  and  turn  we  to  this  tale. 

So  Sir  Launcelot  had  great  cheer  with  the  queen,  and 


430   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

then  Sir  Launcelot  made  a  promise  with  the  queen  that  the 
same  night  Sir  Launcelot  should  come  to  a  window  out- 
ward toward  a  garden  ;  and  that  window  was  y-barred  with 
iron,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot  promised  to  meet  her  when 
all  folks  were  asleep.  So  then  came  Sir  Lavaine  driving 
to  the  gates,  crying  :  Where  is  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake  ?  Then  was  he  sent  for,  and  when  Sir  Lavaine  saw 
Sir  Launcelot,  he  said  :  My  lord,  I  found  well  how  ye  were 
hard  bestead,  for  I  have  found  your  horse  that  was  slain 
with  arrows.  As  for  that,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  pray 
you,  Sir  Lavaine,  speak  ye  of  other  matters,  and  let  ye 
this  pass,  and  we  shall  right  it  another  time  when  we 
best  may. 

Then  the  knights  that  were  hurt  were  searched,  and  soft 
salves  were  laid  to  their  wounds  ;  and  so  it  passed  on  till 
supper  time,  and  all  the  cheer  that  might  be  made  them 
there  was  done  unto  the  queen  and  all  her  knights.  Then 
when  season  was,  they  went  unto  their  chambers,  but  in 
no  wise  the  queen  would  not  suffer  the  wounded  knights 
to  be  from  her,  but  that  they  were  laid  within  draughts  by 
her  chamber,  upon  beds  and  pillows,  that  she  herself  might 
see  to  them,  that  they  wanted  nothing. 

So  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  in  his  chamber  that  was 
assigned  unto  him,  he  called  unto  him  Sir  Lavaine,  and 
told  him  that  night  he  must  go  speak  with  his  lady,  Dame 
Guenever.  Sir,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  let  me  go  with  you  an 
it  please  you,  for  I  dread  me  sore  of  the  treason  of  Sir  Melia- 
grance.  Nay,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  thank  you,  but  I  will 
have  nobody  with  me.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  took  his  sword 
in  his  hand,  and  privily  went  to  a  place  where  he  had  espied 
a  ladder  to-forehand,  and  that  he  took  under  his  arm,  and 
bare  it  through  the  garden,  and  set  it  up  to  the  window,  and 


THE  QUEEN  APPEACHED  OF  TREASON  431 

there  anon  the  queen  was  ready  to  meet  him.  And  then 
they  made  either  to  other  their  complaints  of  many  divers 
things,  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  wished  that  he  might  have 
come  in  to  her.  Wit  ye  well,  said  the  queen,  I  would  as  fain 
as  ye,  that  ye  might  come  in  to  me.  Would  ye,  madam, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  with  your  heart  that  I  were  with  you  ? 
Yea,  truly,  said  the  queen.  Now  shall  I  prove  my  might, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  your  love  ;  and  then  he  set  his  hands 
upon  the  bars  of  iron,  and  he  pulled  at  them  with  such  a 
might  that  he  brast  them  clean  out  of  the  stone  walls,  and 
therewithal  one  of  the  bars  of  iron  cut  the  brawn  of  his  hand 
throughout  to  the  bone  ;  and  then  he  leapt  into  the  chamber 
to  the  queen.  Make  ye  no  noise,  said  the  queen,  for  my 
wounded  knights  lie  here  fast  by  me.  And  when  he  saw  his 
time  that  he  might  tarry  no  longer  he  took  his  leave  and 
departed  at  the  window,  and  put  it  together  as  well  as  he 
might  again,  and  so  departed  unto  his  own  chamber  ;  and 
there  he  told  Sir  Lavaine  how  he  was  hurt.  Then  Sir 
Lavaine  dressed  his  hand  and  staunched  it,  and  put  upon 
it  a  glove,  that  it  should  not  be  espied  ;  and  so  the  queen 
lay  long  in  her  bed  until  it  was  nine  of  the  clock. 

Then  Sir  Meliagrance  went  to  the  queen's  chamber, 
and  found  her  ladies  there  ready  clothed.  What  aileth 
you,  madam,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  that  ye  sleep  thus  long  ? 
And  right  therewithal  he  opened  the  curtain  for  to  behold 
her  ;  and  then  was  he  ware  of  the  blood  of  Sir  Launcelot's 
hurt  hand.  When  Sir  Meliagrance  espied  that  blood,  then 
he  deemed  in  himself  that  she  was  false  to  the  king,  and 
that  it  was  the  blood  of  some  of  the  wounded  knights.  Ah, 
madam,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  now  I  have  found  you  a  false 
traitress  unto  my  lord  Arthur  ;  for  now  I  prove  well  it  was  not 
for  nought  that  ye  laid  these  wounded  knights  within  the 


432   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

bounds  of  your  chamber  ;  therefore  I  will  call  you  of  treason 
before  my  lord,  King  Arthur.  And  now  I  have  proved 
you,  madam,  with  a  shameful  deed  ;  and  that  they  be  all 
false,  or  some  of  them,  I  will  make  good,  for  a  wounded 
knight  hath  been  here.  That  is  false,  said  the  queen,  and 
that  I  will  report  me  unto  them  all.  Then  when  the  ten 
knights  heard  Sir  Meliagrance's  words,  they  spake  all  in  one 
voice  and  said  to  Sir  Meliagrance  :  Thou  sayest  falsely,  and 
wrongfully  puttest  upon  us  such  a  deed,  and  that  we  will 
make  good  any  of  us  ;  choose  which  thou  list  of  us  when 
we  are  whole  of  our  wounds.  Ye  shall  not,  said  Sir  Melia- 
grance, away  with  your  proud  language,  for  here  ye  may 
all  see,  that  a  wounded  knight  hath  been  here.  Then  were 
they  all  ashamed  when  they  saw  that  blood  ;  and  wit  you  well 
Sir  Meliagrance  was  passing  glad  that  he  had  the  queen  at 
such  an  advantage,  for  he  deemed  by  that  to  hide  his  treason. 
So  with  this  rumour  came  in  Sir  Launcelot,  and  found  them 
all  at  a  great  array. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  ANSWERED 
FOR  THE  QUEEN,TO  WAGE  BATTLE 
AGAINST  SIR  MELIAGRANCE;  AND 
HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  TAKEN 
IN  A  TRAP,  BUT  WAS  DELIVERED 
OF  A  LADY,  AND  HOW  HE  FOUGHT 
WITH  SIR  MELIAGRANCE,  HALF 
UNARMED,  AND  SLEW  HIM.  What  array  is  this? 
said  Sir  Launcelot.  Then  Sir  Meliagrance  told  him  what  he 
had  found,  and  showed  him  the  blood,  And  well  I  am  sure, 
said  Sir  Meliagrance,  here  hath  been  one  of  her  wounded 
knights,  and  therefore  I  will  prove  with  my  hands  that  she 
is  a  traitress  unto  my  lord  Arthur.      Beware  what  ye  do,  said 


OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  MELIAGRANCE   433 

Launcelot,  for  an  ye  say  so,  an  ye  will  prove  it,  it  will  be 
taken  at  your  hands. 

My  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  I  rede 
you  beware  what  ye  do  ;  for  though  ye  are  never  so  good 
a  knight,  as  ye  wot  well  ye  are  renowned  the  best  knight 
of  the  world,  yet  should  ye  be  advised  to  do  batde  in  a 
wrong  quarrel,  for  God  will  have  a  stroke  in  every  batde. 
As  for  that,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  God  is  to  be  dread  ;  but 
as  to  that  I  say  nay  plainly,  that  this  night  none  of  these  ten 
wounded  knights  was  here  with  my  lady  Queen  Guenever, 
and  that  will  I  prove  with  my  hands,  that  ye  say  untruly 
in  that  now.  Hold,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  here  is  my  glove 
that  she  is  traitress  unto  my  lord,  King  Arthur,  and  that 
this  night  one  of  the  wounded  knights  was  here.  And  I 
receive  your  glove,  said  Sir  Launcelot.  And  so  they  were 
sealed  with  their  signets,  and  delivered  unto  the  ten  knights. 
At  what  day  shall  we  do  batde  together  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot. 
This  day  eight  days,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  in  the  field  beside 
Westminster.  I  am  agreed,  said  Sir  Launcelot.  But  now, 
said  Sir  Meliagrance,  sithen  it  is  so  that  we  must  fight  to- 
gether, I  pray  you,  as  ye  be  a  noble  knight,  await  me  with 
no  treason,  nor  none  villainy  the  meanwhile,  nor  none  for 
you.  So  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  shall  right 
well  wit  I  was  never  of  no  such  conditions,  for  I  report 
me  to  all  knights  that  ever  have  known  me,  I  fared  never 
with  no  treason,  nor  I  loved  never  the  fellowship  of  no  man 
that  fared  with  treason.  Then  let  us  go  to  dinner,  said 
Meliagrance,  and  after  dinner  ye  and  the  queen  and  ye 
may  ride  all  to  Westminster.     I  will  well,  said  Sir  Launcelot. 

Then  Sir  Meliagrance  said  to  Sir  Launcelot  :  Pleaseth 
it  you  to  see  the  eftures  of  this  casde  ?  With  a  good  will, 
said   Sir   Launcelot.     And   then   they  went  together  from 


434   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

chamber  to  chamber,  for  Sir  Launcelot  dread  no  perils  ; 
for  ever  a  man  of  worship  and  of  prowess  dreadeth  least 
always  perils,  for  they  ween  every  man  be  as  they  be  ;  but 
ever  he  that  fareth  with  treason  putteth  oft  a  man  in  great 
danger.  So  it  befell  upon  Sir  Launcelot  that  no  peril  dread, 
as  he  went  with  Sir  Meliagrance  he  trod  on  a  trap  and  the 
board  rolled,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot  fell  down  more  than 
ten  fathom  into  a  cave  full  of  straw  ;  and  then  Sir  Melia- 
grance departed  and  made  no  fare,  as  that  he  nist  where 
he  was. 

And  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  thus  missed  they  marvelled 
where  he  was  become  ;  and  then  the  queen  and  many  of 
them  deemed  that  he  was  departed  as  he  was  wont  to  do, 
suddenly.  For  Sir  Meliagrance  made  suddenly  to  put 
away  aside  Sir  Lavaine's  horse,  that  they  might  all  under- 
stand that  Sir  Launcelot  was  departed  suddenly.  So  it 
passed  on  till  after  dinner  ;  and  then  Sir  Lavaine  would 
not  stint  until  that  he  ordained  litters  for  the  wounded 
knights,  that  they  might  be  laid  in  them  ;  and  so  with  the 
queen  and  them  all,  both  ladies  and  gentlewomen  and  other, 
went  unto  Westminster  ;  and  there  the  knights  told  King 
Arthur  how  Meliagrance  had  appealed  the  queen  of  high 
treason,  and  how  Sir  Launcelot  had  received  the  glove  of 
him  :  And  this  day  eight  days  they  shall  do  battle  afore 
you.  By  my  head,  said  King  Arthur,  I  am  afeard  Sir 
Meliagrance  hath  taken  upon  him  a  great  charge  ;  but 
where  is  Sir  Launcelot  ?  said  the  king.  Sir,  said  they  all, 
we  wot  not  where  he  is,  but  we  deem  he  is  ridden  to  some 
adventures,  as  he  is  ofttimes  wont  to  do,  for  he  hath  Sir 
Lavaine's  horse.  Let  him  be,  said  the  king,  he  will  be 
founden,  but  if  he  be  trapped  with  some  treason. 

So  leave  we  Sir  Launcelot  lying  within  that  cave  in  great 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  IN  PRISON        435 

pain  ;  and  every  day  there  came  a  lady  and  brought  him 
his  meat  and  his  drink,  and  wooed  him  to  love  her ;  and 
ever  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  her  nay.  Sir 
Launcelot,  said  she,  ye  are  not  wise,  for  ye  may  never 
out  of  this  prison,  but  if  ye  have  my  help  ;  and  also 
your  lady,  Queen  Guenever,  shall  be  brent  in  your  default, 
unless  that  ye  be  there  at  the  day  of  batde.  God  defend, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  she  should  be  brent  in  my  default  ; 
and  if  it  be  so,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  I  may  not  be  there, 
it  shall  be  well  understanded,  both  at  the  king  and  at  the 
queen,  and  with  all  men  of  worship,  that  I  am  dead,  sick, 
or  in  prison.  For  all  men  that  know  me  will  say  for  me 
that  I  am  in  some  evil  case  an  I  be  not  there  that  day  ; 
and  well  I  wot  there  is  some  good  knight  either  of  my  blood, 
or  some  other  that  loveth  me,  that  will  take  my  quarrel  in 
hand  ;  and  therefore,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  ye  well  ye 
shall  not  fear  me  ;  and  if  there  were  no  more  women  in  all 
this  land  but  ye,  I  would  not  say  you  otherwise.  Then  art 
thou  shamed,  said  the  lady,  and  destroyed  for  ever.  As 
for  world's  shame,  Jesu  defend  me  ;  and  as  for  my  distress, 
it  is  welcome  whatsoever  it  be  that  God  sendeth  me. 

So  she  came  to  him  the  same  day  that  the  batde  should 
be,  and  said  :  Sir  Launcelot,  methinketh  ye  are  too  hard- 
hearted, but  wouldest  thou  but  kiss  me  once  I  should  deliver 
thee,  and  thine  armour,  and  the  best  horse  that  is  within 
Sir  Meliagrance's  stable.  As  for  to  kiss  you,  said  Sir  Launce- 
lot, I  may  do  that  and  lose  no  worship  ;  and  wit  ye  well  an 
I  understood  there  were  any  disworship  for  to  kiss  you  I 
would  not  do  it.  Then  he  kissed  her,  and  then  she  gat  him, 
and  brought  him  to  his  armour.  And  when  he  was  armed, 
she  brought  him  to  a  stable,  where  stood  twelve  good  coursers, 
and  bade  him  choose  the  best.    Then  Sir  Launcelot  looked 


436   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

upon  a  white  courser  the  which  liked  him  best ;  and  anon 
he  commanded  the  keepers  fast  to  saddle  him  with  the  best 
saddle  of  war  that  there  was  ;  and  so  it  was  done  as  he  bade. 
Then  gat  he  his  spear  in  his  hand,  and  his  sword  by  his  side, 
and  commended  the  lady  unto  God,  and  said  :  Lady,  for  this 
good  deed  I  shall  do  you  service  if  ever  it  be  in  my  power. 
Now  leave  we  Sir  Launcelot  wallop  all  that  he  might,  and 
speak  we  of  Queen  Guenever  that  was  brought  to  a  fire  to 
be  brent ;  for  Sir  Meliagrance  was  sure,  him  thought,  that 
Sir  Launcelot  should  not  be  at  that  battle  ;  therefore  he 
ever  cried  upon  King  Arthur  to  do  him  justice,  or  else 
bring  forth  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake.  Then  was  the  king 
and  all  the  court  full  sore  abashed  and  shamed  that  the 
queen  should  be  brent  in  the  default  of  Sir  Launcelot.  My 
lord  Arthur,  said  Sir  Lavaine,  ye  may  understand  that  it 
is  not  well  with  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  for  an  he  were  alive, 
so  he  be  not  sick  or  in  prison,  wit  ye  well  he  would  be 
here  ;  for  never  heard  ye  that  ever  he  failed  his  part  for 
whom  he  should  do  battle  for.  And  therefore,  said  Sir 
Lavaine,  my  lord,  King  Arthur,  I  beseech  you  give  me 
license  to  do  batde  here  this  day  for  my  lord  and  master, 
and  for  to  save  my  lady,  the  queen.  Gramercy,  gende  Sir 
Lavaine,  said  King  Arthur,  for  I  dare  say  all  that  Sir  Melia- 
grance putteth  upon  my  lady  the  queen  is  wrong,  for  I 
have  spoken  with  all  the  ten  wounded  knights,  and  there 
is  not  one  of  them,  an  he  were  whole  and  able  to  do  battle, 
but  he  would  prove  upon  Sir  Meliagrance's  body  that  it 
is  false  that  he  putteth  upon  my  queen.  So  shall  I,  said 
Sir  Lavaine,  in  the  defence  of  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  an 
ye  will  give  me  leave.  Now  I  give  you  leave,  said  King 
Arthur,  and  do  your  best,  for  I  dare  well  say  there  is  some 
treason  done  to  Sir  Launcelot. 


LAUNCELOT  FIGHTS  FOR  THE  QUEEN  437 

Then  was  Sir  Lavaine  armed  and  horsed,  and  suddenly 
at  the  lists'  end  he  rode  to  perform  this  batde  ;  and  right 
as  the  heralds  should  cry  :  Lesses  les  aler,  right  so  came  in 
Sir  Launcelot  driving  with  all  the  force  of  his  horse.  And 
then  Arthur  cried  :  Ho  !  and  Abide  !  Then  was  Sir 
Launcelot  called  on  horseback  to-fore  King  Arthur,  and 
there  he  told  openly  to-fore  the  king  and  all,  how  Sir  Melia- 
grance  had  served  him  first  and  last.  And  when  the  king, 
and  the  queen,  and  all  the  lords,  knew  of  the  treason  of  Sir 
Meliagrance  they  were  all  ashamed  on  his  behalf.  Then 
was  Queen  Guenever  sent  for,  and  set  by  the  king  in  great 
trust  of  her  champion.  And  then  there  was  no  more  else 
to  say,  but  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Meliagrance  dressed  them 
unto  batde,  and  took  their  spears  ;  and  so  they  came  together 
as  thunder,  and  there  Sir  Launcelot  bare  him  down  quite 
over  his  horse's  croup.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  alighted 
and  dressed  his  shield  on  his  shoulder,  with  his  sword  in  his 
hand,  and  Sir  Meliagrance  in  the  same  wise  dressed  him 
unto  him,  and  there  they  smote  many  great  strokes  together  ; 
and  at  the  last  Sir  Launcelot  smote  him  such  a  buffet  upon 
the  helmet  that  he  fell  on  the  one  side  to  the  earth.  And 
then  he  cried  upon  him  aloud  :  Most  noble  knight,  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake,  save  my  life,  for  I  yield  me  unto  you, 
and  I  require  you,  as  ye  be  a  knight  and  fellow  of  the  Table 
Round,  slay  me  not,  for  I  yield  me  as  overcome  ;  and 
whether  I  shall  live  or  die  I  put  me  in  the  king's  hands  and 
yours. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  wist  not  what  to  do,  for  he  had  had 
liefer  than  all  the  good  of  the  world  he  might  have  been 
revenged  upon  Sir  Meliagrance  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot  looked 
up  to  the  Queen  Guenever,  if  he  might  espy  by  any  sign 
or  countenance  what  she  would  have  done.     And  then  the 

2G 


438   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

queen  wagged  her  head  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  as  though  she 
would  say  :  Slay  him.  Full  well  knew  Sir  Launcelot  by 
the  wagging  of  her  head  that  she  would  have  him  dead  ; 
then  Sir  Launcelot  bade  him  rise  for  shame  and  perform 
that  batde  to  the  utterance.  Nay,  said  Sir  Meliagrance,  I 
will  never  arise  until  ye  take  me  as  yolden  and  recreant. 
I  shall  proffer  you  large  proffers,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that 
is  for  to  say,  I  shall  unarm  my  head  and  my  left  quarter 
of  my  body,  all  that  may  be  unarmed,  and  let  bind  my  left 
hand  behind  me,  so  that  it  shall  not  help  me,  and  right  so 
I  shall  do  batde  with  you.  Then  Sir  Meliagrance  started 
up  upon  his  legs,  and  said  on  high  :  My  lord  Arthur,  take 
heed  to  this  proffer,  for  I  will  take  it,  and  let  him  be  dis- 
armed and  bounden  according  to  his  proffer.  What  say 
ye,  said  King  Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  will  ye  abide  by 
your  proffer  ?  Yea,  my  lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  will 
never  go  from  that  I  have  once  said. 

Then  the  knights  parters  of  the  field  disarmed  Sir  Launce- 
lot, first  his  head,  and  sithen  his  left  arm,  and  his  left  side, 
and  they  bound  his  left  arm  behind  his  back,  without 
shield  or  anything,  and  then  they  were  put  together.  Wit 
you  well  there  was  many  a  lady  and  knight  marvelled  that 
Sir  Launcelot  would  jeopardy  himself  in  such  wise.  Then 
Sir  Meliagrance  came  with  his  sword  all  on  high,  and  Sir 
Launcelot  showed  him  openly  his  bare  head  and  the  bare 
left  side  ;  and  when  he  weened  to  have  smitten  him  upon 
the  bare  head,  then  lightly  he  avoided  the  left  leg  and  the 
left  side,  and  put  his  right  hand  and  his  sword  to  that  stroke, 
and  so  put  it  on  side  with  great  sleight ;  and  then  with  great 
force  Sir  Launcelot  smote  him  on  the  helmet  such  a  buffet 
that  the  stroke  carved  the  head  in  two  parts.  Then  there 
was  no  more  to  do,  but  he  was  drawn  out  of  the  field.     And 


HOW  SIR  URRE  GAT  HIS  WOUNDS      439 

at  the  great  instance  of  the  knights  of  the  Table  Round, 
the  king  suffered  him  to  be  interred,  and  the  mention  made 
upon  him,  who  slew  him,  and  for  what  cause  he  was  slain  ; 
and  then  the  king  and  the  queen  made  more  of  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake,  and  more  he  was  cherished,  than  ever  he  was 
aforehand. 

HOW  SIR  URRE  CAME  INTO  ARTHUR'S 
COURT  FOR  TO  BE  HEALED  OF  HIS 
WOUNDS  BY  THE  BEST  KNIGHT  OF  THE 
WORLD,  AND  HOW  HE  WAS  HEALED  BY  SIR 
LAUNCELOT.  Then  as  the  French  book  maketh  mention, 
there  was  a  good  knight  in  the  land  of  Hungary,  his  name  was 
Sir  Urre,  and  he  was  an  adventurous  knight,  and  in  all  places 
where  he  might  hear  of  any  deeds  of  worship  there  would 
he  be.  So  it  happened  in  Spain  there  was  an  earl's  son, 
his  name  was  Alphegus,  and  at  a  great  tournament  in  Spain 
this  Sir  Urre,  knight  of  Hungary,  and  Sir  Alphegus  of 
Spain  encountered  together  for  very  envy  ;  and  so  either 
undertook  other  to  the  utterance.  And  by  fortune  Sir 
Urre  slew  Sir  Alphegus,  the  earl's  son  of  Spain  ;  but  this 
knight  that  was  slain  had  given  Sir  Urre,  or  ever  he  was 
slain,  seven  great  wounds,  three  on  the  head,  and  four  on 
his  body  and  upon  his  left  hand.  And  this  Sir  Alphegus 
had  a  mother,  the  which  was  a  great  sorceress  ;  and  she, 
for  the  despite  of  her  son's  death,  wrought  by  her  subtle 
crafts  that  Sir  Urre  should  never  be  whole,  but  ever  his 
wounds  should  one  time  fester  and  another  time  bleed,  so 
that  he  should  never  be  whole  until  the  best  knight  of  the 
world  had  searched  his  wounds  ;  and  thus  she  made  her 
avaunt,  wherethrough  it  was  known  that  Sir  Urre  should 
never  be  whole. 


44o   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

Then  his  mother  let  make  an  horse  litter,  and  put  him 
therein  under  two  palfreys  ;  and  then  she  took  Sir  Urre's 
sister  with  him,  a  full  fair  damosel,  whose  name  was  Felelolie  ; 
and  then  she  took  a  page  with  him  to  keep  their  horses,  and 
so  they  led  Sir  Urre  through  many  countries.  For  as  the 
French  book  saith,  she  led  him  so  seven  year  through  all 
lands  christened,  and  never  she  could  find  no  knight  that 
might  ease  her  son.  So  she  came  into  Scodand  and  into 
the  lands  of  England,  and  by  fortune  she  came  nigh  the  feast 
of  Pentecost  until  King  Arthur's  court,  that  at  that  time 
was  holden  at  Carlisle.  And  when  she  came  there,  then 
she  made  it  openly  to  be  known  how  that  she  was  come 
into  that  land  for  to  heal  her  son. 

Then  King  Arthur  let  call  that  lady,  and  asked  her 
the  cause  why  she  brought  that  hurt  knight  into  that  land. 
My  most  noble  king,  said  that  lady,  wit  you  well  I  brought 
him  hither  for  to  be  healed  of  his  wounds,  that  of  all  this 
seven  year  he  might  not  be  whole.  And  then  she  told  the 
king  where  he  was  wounded,  and  of  whom  ;  and  how  his 
mother  had  made  known  in  her  pride  how  she  had  wrought 
that  by  enchantment,  so  that  he  should  never  be  whole  until 
the  best  knight  of  the  world  had  searched  his  wounds.  And 
so  I  have  passed  through  all  the  lands  christened  to  have 
him  healed,  except  this  land.  And  if  I  fail  to  heal  him 
here  in  this  land,  I  will  never  take  more  pain  upon  me, 
and  that  is  pity,  for  he  was  a  good  knight,  and  of  great 
nobleness.  What  is  his  name  ?  said  Arthur.  My  good  and 
gracious  lord,  she  said,  his  name  is  Sir  Urre  of  the  Mount. 
In  good  time,  said  the  king,  and  sith  ye  are  come  into  this 
land,  ye  are  right  welcome  ;  and  wit  you  well  here  shall 
your  son  be  healed,  an  ever  any  Christian  man  may  heal 
him.     And  for  to  give  all  other  men  of  worship  courage,  I 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  KING  ARTHUR   441 

myself  will  assay  to  handle  your  son,  and  so  shall  all  the 
kings,  dukes,  and  earls  that  be  here  present  with  me  at  this 
time  ;  thereto  will  I  command  them,  and  well  I  wot  they 
shall  obey  and  do  after  my  commandment.  And  wit  you 
well,  said  King  Arthur  unto  Urre's  sister,  I  shall  begin  to 
handle  him,  and  search  unto  my  power,  not  presuming 
upon  me  that  I  am  so  worthy  to  heal  your  son  by  my  deeds, 
but  I  will  courage  other  men  of  worship  to  do  as  I  will  do. 
And  then  the  king  commanded  all  the  kings,  dukes,  and 
earls,  and  all  noble  knights  of  the  Round  Table  that  were 
there  that  time  present,  to  come  into  the  meadow  of  Carlisle. 
And  so  at  that  time  there  were  but  an  hundred  and  ten  of 
the  Round  Table,  for  forty  knights  were  that  time  away. 
All  these  hundred  knights  and  ten  searched  Sir  Urre's 
wounds  by  the  commandment  of  King  Arthur. 

Mercy,  said  King  Arthur,  where  is  Sir  Launcelot  du 
Lake  that  he  is  not  here  at  this  time  ?  Thus,  as  they  stood 
and  spake  of  many  things,  there  was  espied  Sir  Launcelot 
that  came  riding  toward  them,  and  told  the  king.  Peace, 
said  the  king,  let  no  manner  thing  be  said  until  he  be  come 
to  us.  So  when  Sir  Launcelot  espied  King  Arthur,  he 
descended  from  his  horse  and  came  to  the  king,  and  saluted 
him  and  them  all.  Anon  as  the  maid,  Sir  Urre's  sister,  saw 
Sir  Launcelot,  she  ran  to  her  brother  thereas  he  lay  in  his 
litter,  and  said  :  Brother,  here  is  come  a  knight  that  my 
heart  giveth  greatly  unto.  Fair  sister,  said  Sir  Urre,  so  doth 
my  heart  light  against  him,  and  certainly  I  hope  now  to  be 
healed,  for  my  heart  giveth  unto  him  more  than  to  all  these 
that  have  searched  me. 

Then  said  Arthur  unto  Sir  Launcelot :  Ye  must  do  as 
we  have  done  ;  and  told  Sir  Launcelot  what  they  had  done, 
and  showed  him  them  all,   that  had  searched   him.    Jesu 


442   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

defend  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  when  so  many  kings  and 
knights  have  assayed  and  failed,  that  I  should  presume  upon 
me  to  enchieve  that  all  ye,  my  lords,  might  not  enchieve. 
Ye  shall  not  choose,  said  King  Arthur,  for  I  will  command 
you  for  to  do  as  we  all  have  done.  My  most  renowned 
lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  know  well  I  dare  not  nor  may 
not  disobey  your  commandment,  but  an  I  might  or  durst, 
wit  you  well  I  would  not  take  upon  me  to  touch  that  wounded 
knight  in  that  intent  that  I  should  pass  all  other  knights  ; 
Jesu  defend  me  from  that  shame.  Ye  take  it  wrong,  said 
King  Arthur,  ye  shall  not  do  it  for  no  presumption,  but 
for  to  bear  us  fellowship,  insomuch  ye  be  a  fellow  of  the 
Table  Round  ;  and  wit  you  well,  said  King  Arthur,  an  ye 
prevail  not  and  heal  him,  I  dare  say  there  is  no  knight  in 
this  land  may  heal  him,  and  therefore  I  pray  you,  do  as  we 
have  done. 

And  then  all  the  kings  and  knights  for  the  most  part 
prayed  Sir  Launcelot  to  search  him  ;  and  then  the  wounded 
knight,  Sir  Urre,  set  him  up  weakly,  and  prayed  Sir  Launce- 
lot heartily,  saying  :  Courteous  knight,  I  require  thee  for 
God's  sake  heal  my  wounds,  for  methinketh  ever  sithen  ye 
came  here  my  wounds  grieve  me  not.  Ah,  my  fair  lord, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  Jesu  would  that  I  might  help  you  ;  I 
shame  me  sore  that  I  should  be  thus  rebuked,  for  never 
was  I  able  in  worthiness  to  do  so  high  a  thing.  Then  Sir 
Launcelot  kneeled  down  by  the  wounded  knight  saying  : 
My  lord  Arthur,  I  must  do  your  commandment,  the  which 
is  sore  against  my  heart.  And  then  he  held  up  his  hands, 
and  looked  into  the  east,  saying  secretly  unto  himself  :  Thou 
blessed  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  I  beseech  thee  of  thy 
mercy,  that  my  simple  worship  and  honesty  be  saved,  and 
thou  blessed  Trinity,  thou  mayst  give  power  to  heal  this  sick 


HOW  SIR  URRE  WAS  HEALED  443 

knight  by  thy  great  virtue  and  grace  of  thee,  but,  Good 
Lord,  never  of  myself.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  prayed  Sir 
Urre  to  let  him  see  his  head  ;  and  then  devoudy  kneeling 
he  ransacked  the  three  wounds,  that  they  bled  a  litde,  and 
forthwith  all  the  wounds  fair  healed,  and  seemed  as  they 
had  been  whole  a  seven  year.  And  in  likewise  he  searched 
his  body  of  other  three  wounds,  and  they  healed  in  like- 
wise ;  and  then  the  last  of  all  he  searched  that  which  was 
in  his  hand,  and  anon  it  healed  fair. 

Then  King  Arthur  and  all  the  kings  and  knights  kneeled 
down  and  gave  thankings  and  lovings  unto  God  and  to 
His  Blessed  Mother.  And  ever  Sir  Launcelot  wept  as  he 
had  been  a  child  that  had  been  beaten.  Then  King  Arthur 
let  array  priests  and  clerks  in  the  most  devoutest  manner, 
to  bring  in  Sir  Urre  within  Carlisle,  with  singing  and  loving 
to  God.  And  when  this  was  done,  the  king  let  clothe  him 
in  the  richest  manner  that  could  be  thought ;  and  then 
were  there  but  few  better  made  knights  in  all  the  court, 
for  he  was  passingly  well  made  and  bigly  ;  and  Arthur  asked 
Sir  Urre  how  he  felt  himself.  My  good  lord,  he  said,  I 
felt  myself  never  so  lusty.  Will  ye  joust  and  do  deeds  of 
arms  ?  said  King  Arthur.  Sir,  said  Urre,  an  I  had  all  that 
longed  unto  jousts  I  would  be  soon  ready. 

Then  Arthur  made  a  party  of  hundred  knights  to  be 
against  an  hundred  knights.  And  so  upon  the  morn  they 
jousted  for  a  diamond,  but  there  jousted  none  of  the  dangerous 
knights  ;  and  so  for  to  shorten  this  tale,  Sir  Urre  and  Sir 
Lavaine  jousted  best  that  day,  for  there  was  none  of  them 
but  he  overthrew  and  pulled  down  thirty  knights  ;  and  then 
by  the  assent  of  all  the  kings  and  lords,  Sir  Urre  and  Sir 
Lavaine  were  made  knights  of  the  Table  Round.  And 
Sir  Lavaine  cast  his  love  unto  Dame  Felelolie,  Sir  Urre's 


444  OF   LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

sister,  and  then  they  were  wedded  together  with  great  joy, 
and  King  Arthur  gave  to  everych  of  them  a  barony  of  lands. 
And  this  Sir  Urre  would  never  go  from  Sir  Launcelot,  but 
he  and  Sir  Lavaine  awaited  evermore  upon  him  ;  and  they 
were  in  all  the  court  accounted  for  good  knights,  and  full 
desirous  in  arms  ;  and  many  noble  deeds  they  did,  for  they 
would  have  no  rest,  but  ever  sought  adventures. 

HOW  SIR  AGRAVAINE  AND  SIR  MOR- 
DRED  WERE  BUSY  UPON  SIR  GAWAINE 
FOR  TO  DISCLOSE  THE  LOVE  BETWEEN 
SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  QUEEN  GUEN- 
EVER. In  May  when  everylusty  heart  flourisheth 
and  bourgeoneth — for  as  the  season  is  lusty  to  behold  and 
comfortable,  so  man  and  woman  rejoice  and  gladden  of 
summer  coming  with  his  fresh  flowers :  for  winter  with  his 
rough  winds  and  blasts  causeth  a  lusty  man  and  woman  to 
cower,  and  sit  fast  by  the  fire — so  in  this  season,  as  in  the 
month  of  May,  befell  a  great  anger  and  unhap  that  stinted 
not  till  the  flower  of  chivalry  of  all  the  world  was  destroyed 
and  slain  ;  and  all  was  long  upon  two  unhappy  knights,  the 
which  were  named  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred,  that  were 
brethren  unto  Sir  Gawaine.  For  this  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir 
Mordred  had  ever  a  privy  hate  unto  the  queen  Dame 
Guenever  and  to  Sir  Launcelot,  and  daily  and  nighdy  they 
ever  watched  upon  Sir  Launcelot. 

So  it  mishapped,  Sir  Gawaine  and  all  his  brethren  were  in 
King  Arthur's  chamber  ;  and  then  Sir  Agravaine  said  thus 
openly,  and  not  in  no  counsel,  that  many  knights  might 
hear  it :  I  marvel  that  we  all  be  not  ashamed  both  to  see 
and  to  know  how  Sir  Launcelot  goeth  with  the  queen,  and 
all  we  know  it  so ;    and  it  is  shamefully  suffered  of  us  all, 


OF  SIR  AGRAVAINE  AND  SIR  MORDRED    445 

that  we  all  should  suffer  so  noble  a  king  as  King  Arthur  is 
so  to  be  shamed. 

Then  spake  Sir  Gawaine,  and  said  :  Brother  Sir  Agra- 
vaine,  I  pray  you  and  charge  you  move  no  such  matters 
no  more  afore  me  ;  for  wit  you  well,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I 
will  not  be  of  your  counsel.  So  God  me  help,  said  Sir 
Gaheris  and  Sir  Gareth,  we  will  not  be  knowing,  brother 
Agravaine,  of  your  deeds.  Then  will  I,  said  Sir  Mordred. 
I  lieve  well  that,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  ever  unto  all  un- 
happiness,  brother  Sir  Mordred,  thereto  will  ye  grant  ; 
and  I  would  that  ye  left  all  this,  and  made  you  not  so  busy, 
for  I  know,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  what  will  fall  of  it.  Fall  of 
it  what  fall  may,  said  Sir  Agravaine,  I  will  disclose  it  to  the 
king.  Not  by  my  counsel,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  an  there 
rise  war  and  wrack  betwixt  Sir  Launcelot  and  us,  wit  you 
well  brother,  there  will  many  kings  and  great  lords  hold 
with  Sir  Launcelot.  Also,  brother  Sir  Agravaine,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  ye  must  remember  how  ofttimes  Sir  Launcelot 
hath  rescued  the  king  and  the  queen  ;  and  the  best  of  us 
all  had  been  full  cold  at  the  heart-root  had  not  Sir  Launcelot 
been  better  than  we,  and  that  hath  he  proved  himself  full  oft. 
And  as  for  my  part,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  will  never  be  against 
Sir  Launcelot  for  one  day's  deed,  when  he  rescued  me  from 
King  Carados  of  the  Dolorous  Tower,  and  slew  him,  and 
saved  my  life.  Also,  brother  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred, 
in  like  wise  Sir  Launcelot  rescued  you  both,  and  threescore 
and  two,  from  Sir  Turquin.  Methinketh  brother,  such  kind 
deeds  and  kindness  should  be  remembered.  Do  as  ye  list, 
said  Sir  Agravaine,  for  I  will  hide  it  no  longer.  With  these 
words  came  to  them  King  Arthur.  Now,  brother,  stint  your 
noise,  said  Sir  Gawaine.  We  will  not,  said  Sir  Agravaine 
and   Sir   Mordred.     Will  ye  so  ?   said  Sir  Gawaine  ;     then 


446   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

God  speed  you,  for  I  will  not  hear  your  tales  ne  be  of  your 
counsel.  No  more  will  I,  said  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris, 
for  we  will  never  say  evil  by  that  man  ;  for  because,  said 
Sir  Gareth,  Sir  Launcelot  made  me  knight,  by  no  manner 
owe  I  to  say  ill  of  him.  And  therewithal  they  three  departed, 
making  great  dole.  Alas,  said  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Gareth, 
now  is  this  realm  wholly  mischieved,  and  the  noble  fellowship 
of  the  Round  Table  shall  be  disparpled  :   so  they  departed. 

And  then  Sir  Arthur  asked  them  what  noise  they  made. 
My  lord,  said  Agravaine,  I  shall  tell  you  that  I  may  keep 
no  longer.  Here  is  I,  and  my  brother  Sir  Mordred,  brake 
unto  my  brothers  Sir  Gawaine,  Sir  Gaheris,  and  to  Sir  Gareth, 
how  this  we  know  all,  that  Sir  Launcelot  holdeth  your 
queen,  and  hath  done  long  ;  and  we  be  your  sister's  sons, 
and  we  may  suffer  it  no  longer,  and  all  we  wot  that  ye  should 
be  above  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  ye  are  the  king  that  made  him 
knight,  and  therefore  we  will  prove  it,  that  he  is  a  traitor 
to  your  person. 

If  it  be  so,  said  Sir  Arthur,  wit  you  well  he  is  none  other, 
but  I  would  be  loath  to  begin  such  a  thing  but  I  might  have 
proofs  upon  it ;  for  Sir  Launcelot  is  an  hardy  knight,  and 
all  ye  know  he  is  the  best  knight  among  us  all  ;  and  but 
if  he  be  taken  with  the  deed,  he  will  fight  with  him  that 
bringeth  up  the  noise,  and  I  know  no  knight  that  is  able  to 
match  him.  Therefore  an  it  be  sooth  as  ye  say,  I  would  he 
were  taken  with  the  deed.  For  as  the  French  book  saith, 
the  king  was  full  loath  thereto,  that  any  noise  should  be 
upon  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  queen  ;  for  the  king  had  a 
deeming,  but  he  would  not  hear  of  it,  for  Sir  Launcelot  had 
done  so  much  for  him  and  the  queen  so  many  times,  that 
wit  ye  well  the  king  loved  him  passingly  well.  My  lord, 
said  Sir  Agravaine,  ye  shall  ride  to-morn  a-hunting,  and 


OF  SIR  AGRAVAINE  AND  KING  ARTHUR   447 

doubt  ye  not  Sir  Launcelot  will  not  go  with  you.  Then 
when  it  draweth  toward  night,  ye  may  send  the  queen  word 
that  ye  will  lie  out  all  that  night,  and  so  may  ye  send  for 
your  cooks,  and  then  upon  pain  of  death  we  shall  take  him 
that  night  with  the  queen,  and  outher  we  shall  bring  him 
to  you  dead  or  quick.  I  will  well,  said  the  king  ;  then  I 
counsel  you,  said  the  king,  take  with  you  sure  fellowship. 
Sir,  said  Agravaine,  my  brother,  Sir  Mordred,  and  I,  will 
take  with  us  twelve  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  Beware, 
said  King  Arthur,  for  I  warn  you  ye  shall  find  him  wight. 
Let  us  deal,  said  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred. 

So  on  the  morn  King  Arthur  rode  a-hunting,  and  sent 
word  to  the  queen  that  he  would  be  out  all  that  night.  Then 
Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  gat  to  them  twelve  knights, 
and  hid  themself  in  a  chamber  in  the  Castle  of  Carlisle,  and 
these  were  their  names :  Sir  Colgrevance,  Sir  Mador  de  la 
Porte,  Sir  Gingaline,  Sir  Meliot  de  Logris,  Sir  Petipase  of 
Winchelsea,  Sir  Galleron  of  Galway,  Sir  Melion  of  the 
Mountain,  Sir  Astamore,  Sir  Gromore  Somir  Joure,  Sir 
Curselaine,  Sir  Florence,  Sir  Lovel.  So  these  twelve  knights 
were  with  Sir  Mordred  and  Sir  Agravaine,  and  all  they  were 
of  Scodand,  outher  of  Sir  Gawaine's  kin,  either  well-willers 
to  his  brethren. 

So  when  the  night  came,  Sir  Launcelot  told  Sir  Bors 
how  he  would  go  that  night  and  speak  with  the  queen. 
Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  ye  shall  not  go  this  night  by  my  counsel. 
Why  ?  said  Sir  Launcelot.  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  I  dread  me 
ever  of  Sir  Agravaine,  that  waiteth  you  daily  to  do  you 
shame  and  us  all  ;  and  never  gave  my  heart  against  no 
going,  that  ever  ye  went  to  the  queen,  so  much  as  now  ; 
for  I  mistrust  that  the  king  is  out  this  night  from  the  queen 
because  peradventure  he  hath  lain  some  watch  for  you  and 


448    OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

the  queen,  and  therefore  I  dread  me  sore  of  treason.  Have 
ye  no  dread,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  I  shall  go  and  come 
again,  and  make  no  tarrying.  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  that  me 
repenteth,  for  I  dread  me  sore  that  your  going  out  this 
night  shall  wrath  us  all.  Fair  nephew,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
I  marvel  much  why  ye  say  thus,  sithen  the  queen  hath  sent 
for  me  ;  and  wit  ye  well  I  will  not  be  so  much  a  coward, 
but  she  shall  understand  I  will  see  her  good  grace.  God 
speed  you  well,  said  Sir  Bors,  and  send  you  sound  and 
safe  again. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  ESPIED  IN  THE 
QUEEN'S  CHAMBER,  AND  HOW  SIR  AGRA- 
VAINE  AND  SIR  MORDRED  CAME  WITH 
TWELVE  KNIGHTS  TO  SLAY  HIM.  So  Sir  Launcelot 
departed,  and  took  his  sword  under  his  arm,  and  so  in  his 
mantle  that  noble  knight  put  himself  in  great  jeopardy ; 
and  so  he  passed  till  he  came  to  the  queen's  chamber.  And 
then,  as  the  French  book  saith,  there  came  Sir  Agravaine  and 
Sir  Mordred,  with  twelve  knights  with  them  of  the  Round 
Table,  and  they  said  with  crying  voice  :  Traitor-knight, 
Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  now  art  thou  taken.  And  thus  they 
cried  with  a  loud  voice,  that  all  the  court  might  hear  it ; 
and  they  all  fourteen  were  armed  at  all  points  as  they  should 
fight  in  a  batde.  Alas,  said  Queen  Guenever,  now  are  we 
mischieved  both.  Madam,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  is  there  here 
any  armour  within  your  chamber,  that  I  might  cover  my 
poor  body  withal  ?  An  if  there  be  any  give  it  me,  and  I 
shall  soon  stint  their  malice,  by  the  grace  of  God.  Truly, 
said  the  queen,  I  have  none  armour,  shield,  sword,  nor 
spear  ;  wherefore  I  dread  me  sore  our  long  love  is  come  to 
a  mischievous  end,  for  I  hear  by  their  noise  there  be  many 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WAS  ESPIED      449 

noble  knights,  and  well  I  wot  they  be  surely  armed  ;  against 
them  ye  may  make  no  resistance.  Wherefore  ye  are  likely 
to  be  slain,  and  then  shall  I  be  brent.  For  an  ye  might 
escape  them,  said  the  queen,  I  would  not  doubt  but  that  ye 
would  rescue  me  in  what  danger  that  ever  I  stood  in.  Alas, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  in  all  my  life  thus  was  I  never  bestead, 
that  I  should  be  thus  shamefully  slain  for  lack  of  mine 
armour. 

But  ever  in  one  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  cried  : 
Traitor-knight,  come  out  of  the  queen's  chamber,  for  wit 
thou  well  thou  art  so  beset  that  thou  shalt  not  escape.  O 
Jesu  mercy,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  shameful  cry  and  noise 
I  may  not  suffer,  for  better  were  death  at  once  than  thus 
to  endure  this  pain.  Then  he  took  the  queen  in  his  arms, 
and  kissed  her,  and  said  :  Most  noble  Christian  queen,  I 
beseech  you  as  ye  have  been  ever  my  special  good  lady,  and 
I  at  all  times  your  true  poor  knight  unto  my  power,  and  as 
I  never  failed  you  in  right  nor  in  wrong  sithen  the  first 
day  King  Arthur  made  me  knight,  that  ye  will  pray  for  my 
soul  if  that  I  here  be  slain  ;  for  well  I  am  assured  that  Sir 
Bors,  my  nephew,  and  all  the  remnant  of  my  kin,  with  Sir 
Lavaine  and  Sir  Urre,  that  they  will  not  fail  you  to  rescue  you 
from  the  fire  ;  and  therefore,  mine  own  lady,  recomfort  your- 
self, whatsomever  come  of  me,  that  ye  go  with  Sir  Bors,  my 
nephew,  and  Sir  Urre,  and  they  all  will  do  you  all  the  pleasure 
that  they  can  or  may,  that  ye  shall  live  like  a  queen  upon 
my  lands.  Nay,  Launcelot,  said  the  queen,  wit  thou  well 
I  will  never  live  after  thy  days,  but  an  thou  be  slain  I  will 
take  my  death  as  meekly  for  Jesu  Christ's  sake  as  ever  did 
any  Christian  queen.  Well,  madam,  said  Launcelot,  sith  it 
is  so  that  the  day  is  come  that  our  love  must  depart,  wit  you 
well  I  shall  sell  my  life  as  dear  as  I  may  ;  and  a  thousandfold, 


450   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  am  more  heavier  for  you  than  for 
myself.  And  now  I  had  liefer  than  to  be  lord  of  all  Christen- 
dom, that  I  had  sure  armour  upon  me,  that  men  might 
speak  of  my  deeds  or  ever  I  were  slain.  Truly,  said  the 
queen,  I  would  an  it  might  please  God  that  they  would 
take  me  and  slay  me,  and  suffer  you  to  escape.  That  shall 
never  be,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  God  defend  me  from  such  a 
shame,  but  Jesu  be  Thou  my  shield  and  mine  armour  ! 

And  therewith  Sir  Launcelot  wrapped  his  mande  about 
his  arm  well  and  surely  ;  and  by  then  they  had  gotten  a 
great  form  out  of  the  hall,  and  therewithal  they  rashed  at 
the  door.  Fair  lords,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  leave  your  noise 
and  your  rashing,  and  I  shall  set  open  this  door,  and  then 
may  ye  do  with  me  what  it  liketh  you.  Come  off  then, 
said  they  all,  and  do  it,  for  it  availeth  thee  not  to  strive 
against  us  all ;  and  therefore  let  us  into  this  chamber,  and 
we  shall  save  thy  life  until  thou  come  to  King  Arthur. 
Then  Launcelot  unbarred  the  door,  and  with  his  left  hand 
he  held  it  open  a  litde,  so  that  but  one  man  might  come  in 
at  once  ;  and  so  there  came  striding  a  good  knight,  a  much 
man  and  large,  and  his  name  was  Colgrevance  of  Gore,  and 
he  with  a  sword  struck  at  Sir  Launcelot  mightily  ;  and  he 
put  aside  the  stroke,  and  gave  him  such  a  buffet  upon  the 
helmet,  that  he  fell  grovelling  dead  within  the  chamber 
door.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot  with  great  might  drew  that 
dead  knight  within  the  chamber  door  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot 
with  help  of  the  queen  and  her  ladies  was  lightly  armed  in 
Sir  Colgrevance's  armour. 

And  ever  stood  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir  Mordred  crying  : 
Traitor-knight,  come  out  of  the  queen's  chamber.  Leave 
your  noise,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto  Sir  Agravaine,  for  wit 
you  well,  Sir  Agravaine,  ye  shall  not  prison  me  this  night ; 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  SLEW  THE  KNIGHTS  451 

and  therefore  an  ye  do  by  my  counsel,  go  ye  all  from  this 
chamber  door,  and  make  not  such  crying  and  such  manner 
of  slander  as  ye  do  ;  for  I  promise  you  by  my  knighthood, 
an  ye  will  depart  and  make  no  more  noise,  I  shall  as  to-morn 
appear  afore  you  all  before  the  king,  and  then  let  it  be  seen 
which  of  you  all,  outher  else  ye  all,  that  will  accuse  me  of 
treason  ;  and  there  I  shall  answer  you  as  a  knight  should, 
that  hither  I  came  to  the  queen  for  no  manner  of  mal  engin, 
and  that  will  I  prove  and  make  it  good  upon  you  with  my 
hands.  Fie  on  thee,  traitor,  said  Sir  Agravaine  and  Sir 
Mordred,  we  will  have  thee  maugre  thy  head,  and  slay  thee 
if  we  list  ;  for  we  let  thee  wit  we  have  the  choice  of  King 
Arthur,  to  save  thee  or  to  slay  thee.  Ah  sirs,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  is  there  none  other  grace  with  you  ?  then  keep 
yourselves. 

So  then  Sir  Launcelot  set  all  open  the  chamber  door, 
and  mightily  and  knightly  he  strode  in  amongst  them  ;  and 
anon  at  the  first  buffet  he  slew  Sir  Agravaine.  And  twelve 
of  his  fellows,  within  a  little  while  after,  he  laid  them  cold 
to  the  earth,  for  there  was  none  of  the  twelve  that  might 
stand  Sir  Launcelot  one  buffet.  Also  Sir  Launcelot  wounded 
Sir  Mordred,  and  he  fled  with  all  his  might.  And  then  Sir 
Launcelot  returned  again  unto  the  queen,  and  said  :  Madam, 
now  wit  you  well  all  our  true  love  is  brought  to  an  end,  for 
now  will  King  Arthur  ever  be  my  foe  ;  and  therefore, 
madam,  an  it  like  you  that  I  may  have  you  with  me,  I  shall 
save  you  from  all  manner  adventures  dangerous.  That  is 
not  best,  said  the  queen  ;  meseemeth  now  ye  have  done  so 
much  harm,  it  will  be  best  ye  hold  you  still  with  this.  And 
if  ye  see  that  as  to-morn  they  will  put  me  unto  the  death, 
then  may  ye  rescue  me  as  ye  think  best.  I  will  well,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  for  have  ye  no  doubt,  while  I  am  living  I 


452   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

shall  rescue  you.  And  then  he  kissed  her,  and  either  gave 
other  a  ring  ;  and  so  there  he  left  the  queen,  and  went 
until  his  lodging. 

OF  THE  COUNSEL  AND  ADVICE 
THAT  WAS  TAKEN  BY  SIR  LAUNCE- 
LOT AND  HIS  FRIENDS  FOR  TO 
SAVE  THE  QUEEN.  When  Sir  Bors  saw 
Sir  Launcelot  he  was  never  so  glad  of  his  home-coming  as 
he  was  then.  Mercy,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  why  be  ye  all 
armed  :  what  meaneth  this  ?  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors,  after  ye 
were  departed  from  us,  we  all  that  be  of  your  blood  and 
your  well-willers  were  so  dretched  that  some  of  us  leapt  out 
of  our  beds  naked,  and  some  in  their  dreams  caught  naked 
swords  in  their  hands ;  therefore,  said  Sir  Bors,  we  deem 
there  is  some  great  strife  at  hand  ;  and  then  we  all  deemed 
that  ye  were  betrapped  with  some  treason,  and  therefore  we 
made  us  thus  ready,  what  need  that  ever  ye  were  in. 

My  fair  nephew,  said  Sir  Launcelot  unto  Sir  Bors,  now 
shall  ye  wit  all,  that  this  night  I  was  more  harder  bestead 
than  ever  I  was  in  my  life,  and  yet  I  escaped.  And  so  he 
told  them  all  how  and  in  what  manner,  as  ye  have  heard 
to-fore.  And  therefore,  my  fellows,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I 
pray  you  all  that  ye  will  be  of  good  heart  in  what  need 
somever  I  stand,  for  now  is  war  come  to  us  all.  Sir,  said 
Bors,  all  is  welcome  that  God  sendeth  us,  and  we  have  had 
much  weal  with  you  and  much  worship,  and  therefore  we 
will  take  the  woe  with  you  as  we  have  taken  the  weal.  And 
therefore,  they  said  all  (there  were  many  good  knights), 
look  ye  take  no  discomfort,  for  there  nis  no  bands  of  knights 
under  heaven  but  we  shall  be  able  to  grieve  them  as  much 
as  they  may  us.     And  therefore  discomfort  not  yourself  by 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  TOOK  COUNSEL  453 

no  manner,  and  we  shall  gather  together  that  we  love,  and 
that  loveth  us,  and  what  that  ye  will  have  done  shall  be  done. 
And  therefore,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  they,  we  will  take  the 
woe  with  the  weal.  Gramercy,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  of  your 
good  comfort,  for  in  my  great  distress,  my  fair  nephew,  ye 
comfort  me  gready,  and  much  I  am  beholding  unto  you. 
But  this,  my  fair  nephew,  I  would  that  ye  did  in  all  haste 
that  ye  may,  or  it  be  forth-days,  that  ye  will  look  in  their 
lodging  that  be  lodged  here  nigh  about  the  king,  which  will 
hold  with  me,  and  which  will  not,  for  now  I  would  know 
which  were  my  friends  from  my  foes.  Sir,  said  Sir  Bors, 
I  shall  do  my  pain,  and  or  it  be  seven  of  the  clock  I  shall 
wit  of  such  as  ye  have  said  before,  who  will  hold  with  you. 

Then  Sir  Bors  called  unto  him  Sir  Lionel,  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris,  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganis,  Sir  Bleoberis  de  Ganis,  Sir 
Gahalantine,  Sir  Galihodin,  Sir  Galihud,  Sir  Menadeuke, 
Sir  Villiers  the  Valiant,  Sir  Hebes  le  Renoumes,  Sir  Lavaine, 
Sir  Urre  of  Hungary,  Sir  Nerounes,  Sir  Plenorius.  These 
two  knights  Sir  Launcelot  made,  and  the  one  he  won  upon 
a  bridge,  and  therefore  they  would  never  be  against  him. 
And  Harry  le  Fise  du  Lake,  and  Sir  Selises  of  the  Dolorous 
Tower,  and  Sir  Melias  de  Lile,  and  Sir  Bellangere  le  Beuse, 
that  was  Sir  Alisander's  son  Le  Orphelin,  because  his  mother 
Alice  le  Beale  Pellerin  was  kin  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  he  held 
with  him.  So  there  came  Sir  Palomides  and  Sir  Safere,  his 
brother,  to  hold  with  Sir  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Clegis  of  Sadok, 
and  Sir  Dinas,  Sir  Clarius  of  Cleremont.  So  these  two-and- 
twenty  knights  drew  them  together,  and  by  then  they  were 
armed  on  horseback,  and  promised  Sir  Launcelot  to  do  what 
he  would.  Then  there  fell  to  them,  what  of  North  Wales 
and  of  Cornwall,  for  Sir  Lamorak's  sake  and  for  Sir  Tristram's 
sake,  to  the  number  of  a  fourscore  knights. 

2H 


454   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

My  lords,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  you  well,  I  have  been 
ever  since  I  came  into  this  country  well  willed  unto  my 
lord,  King  Arthur,  and  unto  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever, 
unto  my  power  ;  and  this  night  because  my  lady  the  queen 
sent  for  me  to  speak  with  her,  I  suppose  it  was  made  by 
treason,  howbeit  I  dare  largely  excuse  her  person,  notwith- 
standing I  was  there  by  a  forecast  near  slain,  but  as  Jesu 
provided  me  I  escaped  all  their  malice  and  treason.  And 
then  that  noble  knight  Sir  Launcelot  told  them  all  how  he 
was  hard  bestead  in  the  queen's  chamber,  and  how  and  in 
what  manner  he  escaped  from  them.  And  therefore,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  wit  you  well,  my  fair  lords,  I  am  sure  there 
nis  but  war  unto  me  and  mine.  And  for  because  I  have 
slain  this  night  these  knights,  I  wot  well  as  is  Sir  Agravaine 
Sir  Gawaine's  brother,  and  at  the  least  twelve  of  his  fellows, 
for  this  cause  now  I  am  sure  of  mortal  war,  for  these  knights 
were  sent  and  ordained  by  King  Arthur  to  betray  me. 
And  therefore  the  king  will  in  his  heat  and  malice  judge 
the  queen  to  the  fire,  and  that  may  I  not  suffer,  that  she 
should  be  brent  for  my  sake  ;  for  an  I  may  be  heard  and 
suffered  and  so  taken,  I  will  fight  for  the  queen,  that  she  is 
a  true  lady  unto  her  lord  ;  but  the  king  in  his  heat,  I  dread 
me,  will  not  take  me  as  I  ought  to  be  taken. 

My  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  said  Sir  Bors,  by  mine  advice  ye 
shall  take  the  woe  with  the  weal,  and  take  it  in  patience, 
and  thank  God  of  it.  And  sithen  it  is  fallen  as  it  is,  I  counsel 
you  keep  yourself,  for  an  ye  will  yourself,  there  is  no 
fellowship  of  knights  christened  that  shall  do  you  wrong. 
Also  I  will  counsel  you  my  lord,  Sir  Launcelot,  than  an  my 
lady,  Queen  Guenever,  be  in  distress,  insomuch  as  she  is 
in  pain  for  your  sake,  that  ye  knightly  rescue  her  ;  an  ye 
did  otherwise,  all  the  world  will  speak  of  you  shame  to  the 


OF  THE  COUNSEL  TO  SAVE  THE  QUEEN  455 

world's  end.  Insomuch  as  ye  were  taken  with  her,  whether 
ye  did  right  or  wrong,  it  is  now  your  part  to  hold  with 
the  queen,  that  she  be  not  slain  and  put  to  a  mischievous 
death  ;  for  an  she  so  die  the  shame  shall  be  yours.  Jesu 
defend  me  from  shame,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  and  keep  and 
save  my  lady  the  queen  from  villainy  and  shameful  death, 
and  that  she  never  be  destroyed  in  my  default ;  wherefore 
my  fair  lords,  my  kin,  and  my  friends,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
what  will  ye  do  ?  Then  they  said  all  :  We  will  do  as  ye 
will  do.  I  put  this  to  you,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  if  my 
lord  Arthur  by  evil  counsel  will  to-morn  in  his  heat  put  my 
lady  the  queen  to  the  fire  there  to  be  brent,  now  I  pray  you 
counsel  me  what  is  best  to  do.  Then  they  said  all  at  once 
with  one  voice  :  Sir,  us  thinketh  best  that  ye  knighdy  rescue 
the  queen  ;  insomuch  as  she  shall  be  brent  it  is  for  your 
sake,  and  it  is  to  suppose,  an  ye  might  be  handled,  ye 
should  have  the  same  death,  or  a  more  shamefuller  death. 
And  sir,  we  say  all,  that  ye  have  many  times  rescued  her 
from  death  for  other  men's  quarrels,  us  seemeth  it  is  more 
your  worship  that  ye  rescue  the  queen  from  this  peril, 
insomuch  she  hath  it  for  your  sake. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  stood  still,  and  said  :  My  fair  lords, 
wit  you  well  I  would  be  loath  to  do  that  thing  that  should 
dishonour  you  or  my  blood,  and  wit  you  well  I  would  be 
loath  that  my  lady,  the  queen,  should  die  a  shameful  death  ; 
but  an  it  be  so  that  ye  will  counsel  me  to  rescue  her,  I  must 
do  much  harm  ere  I  rescue  her ;  and  peradventure  I  shall 
there  destroy  some  of  my  best  friends,  that  should  much 
repent  me  ;  and  peradventure  there  be  some,  an  they  could 
well  bring  it  about,  or  disobey  my  lord  King  Arthur,  they 
would  soon  come  to  me,  the  which  I  were  loath  to  hurt. 
And  if  so  be  that  I  rescue  her,  where  shall  I  keep  her  ? 


456   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

That  shall  be  the  least  care  of  us  all,  said  Sir  Bors.  How 
did  the  noble  knight  Sir  Tristram,  by  your  good  will  ?  kept 
not  he  with  him  La  Beale  Isoud  near  three  year  in  Joyous 
Gard  ?  and  that  same  place  is  your  own  ;  and  in  like  wise  may 
ye  do  an  ye  list,  and  take  the  queen  lightly  away,  if  it  so  be 
the  king  will  judge  her  to  be  brent ;  and  in  Joyous  Gard 
ye  may  keep  her  long  enough  until  the  heat  of  the  king  be 
past.  And  then  shall  ye  bring  again  the  queen  to  the  king 
with  great  worship  ;  and  then  peradventure  ye  shall  have 
thank  for  her  bringing  home,  and  love  and  thank  where 
other  shall  have  maugre. 

That  is  hard  to  do,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  for  by  Sir  Tristram 
I  may  have  a  warning  ;  for  when  by  means  of  treaties,  Sir 
Tristram  brought  again  La  Beale  Isoud  unto  King  Mark 
from  Joyous  Gard,  look  what  befell  on  the  end,  how  shame- 
fully that  false  traitor  King  Mark  slew  him  as  he  sat  harping 
afore  his  lady  La  Beale  Isoud,  with  a  grounden  glaive  he 
thrust  him  in  behind  to  the  heart.  It  grieveth  me,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  to  speak  of  his  death,  for  all  the  world  may  not 
find  such  a  knight.  All  this  is  truth,  said  Sir  Bors,  but 
there  is  one  thing  shall  courage  you  and  us  all,  ye  know 
well  King  Arthur  and  King  Mark  were  never  like  of  con- 
ditions, for  there  was  never  yet  man  could  prove  King 
Arthur  untrue  of  his  promise. 

So  to  make  short  tale,  they  were  all  consented  that  for 
better  or  for  worse,  if  so  were  that  the  queen  were  on 
that  morn  brought  to  the  fire,  shortly  they  all  would  rescue 
her.  And  so  by  the  advice  of  Sir  Launcelot,  they  put 
them  all  in  an  embushment  in  a  wood,  as  nigh  Carlisle  as 
they  might,  and  there  they  abode  still,  to  wit  what  the  king 
would  do. 


HOW  SIR  MORDRED  TOLD  KING  ARTHUR  457 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  AND  HIS  KINSMEN 
RESCUED  THE  QUEEN  FROM  THE  FIRE, 
AND    HOW    HE    SLEW   MANY    KNIGHTS, 
AND    OF    THE    SORROW    OF    KING    ARTHUR. 

Now  turn  we  again  unto  Sir  Mordred,  that  when  he  was 
escaped  from  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Launcelot,  he  anon  gat 
his  horse  and  mounted  upon  him,  and  rode  unto  King 
Arthur,  sore  wounded  and  smitten,  and  all  forbled  ;  and 
there  he  told  the  king  all  how  it  was,  and  how  they  were 
all  slain  save  himself  all  only.  Jesu  mercy,  how  may  this 
be  ?  said  the  king  ;  took  ye  him  in  the  queen's  chamber  ? 
Yea,  so  God  me  help,  said  Sir  Mordred,  there  we  found 
him  unarmed,  and  there  he  slew  Colgrevance,  and  armed 
him  in  his  armour  ;  and  all  this  he  told  the  king  from  the 
beginning  to  the  ending.  Jesu  mercy,  said  the  king,  he  is 
a  marvellous  knight  of  prowess.  Alas,  me  sore  repenteth,  said 
the  king,  that  ever  Sir  Launcelot  should  be  against  me. 
Now  I  am  sure  the  noble  fellowship  of  the  Round  Table 
is  broken  for  ever,  for  with  him  will  many  a  noble  knight 
hold  ;  and  now  it  is  fallen  so,  said  the  king,  that  I  may 
not  with  my  worship,  but  the  queen  must  suffer  the  death. 
So  then  there  was  made  great  ordinance  in  this  heat,  that 
the  queen  must  be  judged  to  the  death.  And  the  law  was 
such  in  those  days  that  whatsomever  they  were,  of  what 
estate  or  degree,  if  they  were  found  guilty  of  treason,  there 
should  be  none  other  remedy  but  death  ;  and  outher  the 
men  or  the  taking  with  the  deed  should  be  causer  of  their 
hasty  judgment.  And  right  so  was  it  ordained  for  Queen 
Guenever,  because  Sir  Mordred  was  escaped  sore  wounded, 
and  the  death  of  thirteen  knights  of  the  Round  Table. 
These  proofs  and  experiences  caused  King  Arthur  to  com- 
mand the  queen  to  the  fire  there  to  be  brent. 


458   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

Then  spake  Sir  Gawaine,  and  said  :  My  lord  Arthur, 
I  would  counsel  you  not  to  be  over-hasty,  but  that  ye  would 
put  it  in  respite,  this  judgment  of  my  lady  the  queen,  for 
many  causes.  One  it  is,  though  it  were  so  that  Sir  Launcelot 
were  found  in  the  queen's  chamber,  yet  it  might  be  so  that 
he  came  thither  for  none  evil ;  for  ye  know  my  lord,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  that  the  queen  is  much  beholden  unto  Sir 
Launcelot,  more  than  unto  any  other  knight,  for  ofttimes 
he  hath  saved  her  life,  and  done  battle  for  her  when  all  the 
court  refused  the  queen  ;  and  peradventure  she  sent  for 
him  for  goodness  and  for  none  evil,  to  reward  him  for  his 
good  deeds  that  he  had  done  to  her  in  times  past.  And 
peradventure  my  lady,  the  queen,  sent  for  him  to  that 
intent  that  Sir  Launcelot  should  come  to  her  good  grace 
privily  and  secredy,  weening  to  her  that  it  was  best  so  to 
do,  in  eschewing  and  dreading  of  slander  ;  for  ofttimes  we 
do  many  things  that  we  ween  it  be  for  the  best,  and  yet 
peradventure  it  turneth  to  the  worst.  For  I  dare  say,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  my  lady,  your  queen,  is  to  you  both  good 
and  true  ;  and  as  for  Sir  Launcelot,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I 
dare  say  he  will  make  it  good  upon  any  knight  living  that 
will  put  upon  himself  villainy  or  shame,  and  in  like  wise  he 
will  make  good  for  my  lady,  Dame  Guenever. 

That  I  believe  well,  said  King  Arthur,  but  I  will  not 
that  way  with  Sir  Launcelot,  for  he  trusteth  so  much  upon 
his  hands  and  his  might  that  he  doubteth  no  man  ;  and 
therefore  for  my  queen  he  shall  never  fight  more,  for  she 
shall  have  the  law.  And  if  I  may  get  Sir  Launcelot,  wit 
you  well  he  shall  have  a  shameful  death.  Jesu  defend,  said 
Sir  Gawaine,  that  I  may  never  see  it.  Why  say  ye  so  ? 
said  King  Arthur  ;  forsooth  ye  have  no  cause  to  love  Sir 
Launcelot,  for  this  night  last  past  he  slew  your  brother, 


HOW  QUEEN  GUENEVER  WAS  RESCUED   459 

Sir  Agravaine,  a  full  good  knight,  and  almost  he  had  slain 
your  other  brother,  Sir  Mordred,  and  also  there  he  slew 
thirteen  noble  knights  ;  and  also,  Sir  Gawaine,  remember 
ye  he  slew  two  sons  of  yours,  Sir  Florence  and  Sir  Lovel. 
My  lord,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  of  all  this  I  have  knowledge, 
of  whose  deaths  I  repent  me  sore  ;  but  insomuch  I  gave 
them  warning,  and  told  my  brethren  and  my  sons  aforehand 
what  would  fall  in  the  end,  insomuch  they  would  not  do 
by  my  counsel,  I  will  not  meddle  me  thereof,  nor  revenge 
me  nothing  of  their  deaths  ;  for  I  told  them  it  was  no  bote 
to  strive  with  Sir  Launcelot.  Howbeit  I  am  sorry  of  the 
death  of  my  brethren  and  of  my  sons,  for  they  are  the  causers 
of  their  own  death  ;  for  ofttimes  I  warned  my  brother  Sir 
Agravaine,  and  I  told  him  the  perils  the  which  be  now  fallen. 

Then  said  the  noble  King  Arthur  to  Sir  Gawaine  :  Dear 
nephew,  I  pray  you  make  you  ready  in  your  best  armour, 
with  your  brethren,  Sir  Gaheris  and  Sir  Gareth,  to  bring 
my  queen  to  the  fire,  there  to  have  her  judgment  and  receive 
the  death.  Nay,  my  most  noble  lord,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
that  will  I  never  do  ;  for  wit  you  well  I  will  never  be  in 
that  place  where  so  noble  a  queen  as  is  my  lady,  Dame 
Guenever,  shall  take  a  shameful  end.  For  wit  you  well, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  my  heart  will  never  serve  me  to  see  her 
die  ;  and  it  shall  never  be  said  that  ever  I  was  of  your 
counsel  of  her  death. 

Then  said  the  king  to  Sir  Gawaine  :  Suffer  your  brothers 
Sir  Gaheris  and  Sir  Gareth  to  be  there.  My  lord,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  wit  you  well  they  will  be  loath  to  be  there  present, 
because  of  many  adventures  the  which  be  like  there  to  fall, 
but  they  are  young  and  full  unable  to  say  you  nay.  Then 
spake  Sir  Gaheris,  and  the  good  knight  Sir  Gareth,  unto 
Sir  Arthur  :    Sir,  ye  may  well  command  us  to  be  there, 


460   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

but  wit  you  well  it  shall  be  sore  against  our  will  ;  but  an 
we  be  there  by  your  strait  commandment  ye  shall  plainly 
hold  us  there  excused  :  we  will  be  there  in  peaceable  wise, 
and  bear  none  harness  of  war  upon  us.  In  the  name  of 
God,  said  the  king,  then  make  you  ready,  for  she  shall  soon 
have  her  judgment  anon.  Alas,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  ever 
I  should  endure  to  see  this  woful  day.  So  Sir  Gawaine 
turned  him  and  wept  heartily,  and  so  he  went  into  his 
chamber  ;  and  then  the  queen  was  led  forth  without  Carlisle, 
and  there  she  was  despoiled  into  her  smock.  And  so  then 
her  ghosdy  father  was  brought  to  her,  to  be  shriven  of  her 
misdeeds.  Then  was  there  weeping,  and  wailing,  and 
wringing  of  hands,  of  many  lords  and  ladies,  but  there  were 
but  few  in  comparison  that  would  bear  any  armour  for  to 
strength  the  death  of  the  queen. 

Then  was  there  one  that  Sir  Launcelot  had  sent  unto 
that  place  for  to  espy  what  time  the  queen  should  go  unto 
her  death  ;  and  anon  as  he  saw  the  queen  despoiled  into 
her  smock,  and  so  shriven,  then  he  gave  Sir  Launcelot  warn- 
ing. Then  was  there  but  spurring  and  plucking  up  of 
horses,  and  right  so  they  came  to  the  fire.  And  who  that 
stood  against  them,  there  were  they  slain  ;  there  might  none 
withstand  Sir  Launcelot,  so  all  that  bare  arms  and  withstood 
them,  there  were  they  slain,  full  many  a  noble  knight 
For  there  was  slain  Sir  Belliance  le  Orgulous,  Sir  Segwarides, 
Sir  Griflet,  Sir  Brandiles,  Sir  Aglovale,  Sir  Tor  ;  Sir  Gauter, 
Sir  Gillimer,  Sir  Reynolds'  three  brethren  ;  Sir  Damas, 
Sir  Priamus,  Sir  Kay  the  Stranger,  Sir  Driant,  Sir  Lambegus, 
Sir  Herminde  ;  Sir  Pertilope,  Sir  Perimones,  two  brethren 
that  were  called  the  Green  Knight  and  the  Red  Knight. 
And  so  in  this  rashing  and  hurling,  as  Sir  Launcelot  thrang 
here  and  there,  it  mishapped  him  to  slay  Gaheris  and  Sir 


OF  THE  KING'S  SORROW  FOR  SIR  GARETH  461 

Gareth,  the  noble  knight,  for  they  were  unarmed  and 
unware.  For  as  the  French  book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  smote 
Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris  upon  the  brain-pans,  where- 
through they  were  slain  in  the  field  ;  howbeit  in  very  truth 
Sir  Launcelot  saw  them  not,  and  so  were  they  found  dead 
among  the  thickest  of  the  press. 

Then  when  Sir  Launcelot  had  thus  done,  and  slain  and 
put  to  flight  all  that  would  withstand  him,  then  he  rode 
straight  unto  Dame  Guenever,  and  made  a  kirde  and  a 
gown  to  be  cast  upon  her  ;  and  then  he  made  her  to  be 
set  behind  him,  and  prayed  her  to  be  of  good  cheer.  Wit 
you  well  the  queen  was  glad  that  she  was  escaped  from  the 
death  ;  and  then  she  thanked  God  and  Sir  Launcelot.  And 
so  he  rode  his  way  with  the  queen,  as  the  French  book 
saith,  unto  Joyous  Gard,  and  there  he  kept  her  as  a  noble 
knight  should  do  ;  and  many  great  lords  and  some  kings 
sent  Sir  Launcelot  many  good  knights,  and  many  noble 
knights  drew  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  When  this  was  known 
openly,  that  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Launcelot  were  at  debate, 
many  knights  were  glad  of  their  debate,  and  many  were  full 
heavy  of  their  debate. 

I  HOW  KING  ARTHUR  AT  THE  RE- 
QUEST OF  SIR  GAWAINE  CON- 
CLUDED TO  MAKE  WAR  AGAINST 
J  SIR  LAUNCELOT,  AND  LAID  SIEGE 
TO  HIS  CASTLE  CALLED  JOYOUS  GARD.  So 
turn  we  again  unto  King  Arthur,  that  when  it  was  told 
him  how  and  in  what  manner  of  wise  the  queen  was  taken 
away  from  the  fire,  and  when  he  heard  of  the  death  of  his 
noble  knights,  and  in  especial  of  Sir  Gaheris  and  Sir  Gareth's 
death,  then  the  king  swooned  for  pure  sorrow.     And  when 


462   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

he  awoke  of  his  swoon,  then  he  said  :  Alas,  that  ever  I  bare 
crown  upon  my  head  !  for  now  have  I  lost  the  fairest  fellow- 
ship of  noble  knights  that  ever  Christian  king  held  together. 
Alas,  my  good  knights  be  slain  away  from  me  :  now  within 
these  two  days  I  have  lost  forty  knights,  and  also  the  noble 
fellowship  of  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  blood,  for  now  I  may 
never  hold  them  together  no  more  with  my  worship.  Alas 
that  ever  this  war  began.  Now  fair  fellows,  said  the  king, 
I  charge  you  that  no  man  tell  Sir  Gawaine  of  the  death  of 
his  two  brethren  ;  for  I  am  sure,  said  the  king,  when  Sir 
Gawaine  heareth  tell  that  Sir  Gareth  is  dead  he  will  go  nigh 
out  of  his  mind.  Mercy  Jesu,  said  the  king,  why  slew  he 
Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris,  for  I  dare  say  as  for  Sir  Gareth 
he  loved  Sir  Launcelot  above  all  men  earthly.  That  is 
truth,  said  some  knights,  but  they  were  slain  in  the  hurtling 
as  Sir  Launcelot  thrang  in  the  thick  of  the  press ;  and  as 
they  were  unarmed  he  smote  them  and  wist  not  whom  that 
he  smote,  and  so  unhappily  they  were  slain.  The  death 
of  them,  said  Arthur,  will  cause  the  greatest  mortal  war 
that  ever  was ;  I  am  sure,  wist  Sir  Gawaine  that  Sir  Gareth 
were  slain,  I  should  never  have  rest  of  him  till  I  had  de- 
stroyed Sir  Launcelot's  kin  and  himself  both,  or  else  he  to 
destroy  me.  And  therefore,  said  the  king,  wit  you  well 
my  heart  was  never  so  heavy  as  it  is  now,  and  much  more 
I  am  sorrier  for  my  good  knights'  loss  than  for  the  loss  of 
my  fair  queen  ;  for  queens  I  might  have  enow,  but  such 
a  fellowship  of  good  knights  shall  never  be  together  in  no 
company.  And  now  I  dare  say,  said  King  Arthur,  there 
was  never  Christian  king  held  such  a  fellowship  together  ; 
and  alas  that  ever  Sir  Launcelot  and  I  should  be  at  debate. 
Ah  Agravaine,  Agravaine,  said  the  king,  Jesu  forgive  it  thy 
soul,  for  thine  evil  will,  that   thou,  and    thy  brother   Sir 


OF  KING  ARTHUR  AND  SIR  GAWAINE  463 

Mordred,  hadst  unto  Sir  Launcelot,  hath  caused  all  this 
sorrow  :  and  ever  among  these  complaints  the  king  wept 
and  swooned. 

Then  there  came  one  unto  Sir  Gawaine,  and  told  him 
how  the  queen  was  led  away  with  Sir  Launcelot,  and  nigh 
a  twenty-four  knights  slain.  O  Jesu  defend  my  brethren, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  full  well  wist  I  that  Sir  Launcelot 
would  rescue  her,  outher  else  he  would  die  in  that  field  ; 
and  to  say  the  truth  he  had  not  been  a  man  of  worship  had 
he  not  rescued  the  queen  that  day,  insomuch  she  should 
have  been  brent  for  his  sake.  And  as  in  that,  said  Sir 
Gawaine,  he  hath  done  but  knighdy,  and  as  I  would  have 
done  myself  an  I  had  stood  in  like  case.  But  where  are 
my  brethren  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  marvel  I  hear  not  of 
them.  Truly,  said  that  man,  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris 
be  slain.  Jesu  defend,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  all  the  world 
I  would  not  that  they  were  slain,  and  in  especial  my  good 
brother,  Sir  Gareth.  Sir,  said  the  man,  he  is  slain,  and 
that  is  great  pity.  Who  slew  him  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine. 
Sir,  said  the  man,  Launcelot  slew  them  both.  That  may 
I  not  believe,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  that  ever  he  slew  my  brother, 
Sir  Gareth  ;  for  I  dare  say  my  brother  Gareth  loved  him 
better  than  me,  and  all  his  brethren,  and  the  king  both. 
Also  I  dare  say,  an  Sir  Launcelot  had  desired  my  brother, 
Sir  Gareth,  with  him  he  would  have  been  with  him  against 
the  king  and  us  all,  and  therefore  I  may  never  believe  that 
Sir  Launcelot  slew  my  brother.  Sir,  said  this  man,  it  is 
noised  that  he  slew  him. 

Alas,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  now  is  my  joy  gone.  And  then 
he  fell  down  and  swooned,  and  long  he  lay  there  as  he 
had  been  dead.  And  then,  when  he  arose  of  his  swoon,  he 
cried  out  sorrowfully,  and  said  :    Alas  !     And  right  so  Sir 


464   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

Gawaine  ran  to  the  king,  crying  and  weeping  :  O  King 
Arthur,  mine  uncle,  my  good  brother  Sir  Gareth  is  slain, 
and  so  is  my  brother  Sir  Gaheris,  the  which  were  two  noble 
knights.  Then  the  king  wept,  and  he  both  ;  and  so  they 
fell  a-swooning.  And  when  they  were  revived  then  spake 
Sir  Gawaine  :  Sir,  I  will  go  see  my  brother,  Sir  Gareth. 
Ye  may  not  see  him,  said  the  king,  for  I  caused  him  to  be 
interred,  and  Sir  Gaheris  both  ;  for  I  well  understood  that 
ye  would  make  over-much  sorrow,  and  the  sight  of  Sir 
Gareth  should  have  caused  your  double  sorrow.  Alas,  my 
lord,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  how  slew  he  my  brother,  Sir  Gareth  ? 
Mine  own  good  lord  I  pray  you  tell  me.  Truly,  said  the 
king,  I  shall  tell  you  how  it  is  told  me,  Sir  Launcelot  slew 
him  and  Sir  Gaheris  both.  Alas,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  they 
bare  none  arms  against  him,  neither  of  them  both.  I. wot 
not  how  it  was,  said  the  king,  but  as  it  is  said,  Sir  Launcelot 
slew  them  both  in  the  thickest  of  the  press  and  knew  them 
not ;  and  therefore  let  us  shape  a  remedy  for  to  revenge 
their  deaths. 

My  king,  my  lord,  and  mine  uncle,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
wit  you  well  now  I  shall  make  you  a  promise  that  I  shall 
hold  by  my  knighthood,  that  from  this  day  I  shall  never 
fail  Sir  Launcelot,  until  the  one  of  us  have  slain  the  other. 
And  therefore  I  require  you,  my  lord  and  king,  dress  you 
to  the  war,  for  wit  you  well  I  will  be  revenged  upon  Sir 
Launcelot ;  and  therefore,  as  ye  will  have  my  service  and 
my  love,  now  haste  you  thereto,  and  assay  your  friends. 
For  I  promise  unto  God,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  for  the  death 
of  my  brother,  Sir  Gareth,  I  shall  seek  Sir  Launcelot  through- 
out seven  kings'  realms,  but  I  shall  slay  him  or  else  he  shall 
slay  me.  Ye  shall  not  need  to  seek  him  so  far,  said  the  king, 
for  as  I  hear  say,  Sir  Launcelot  will  abide  me  and  you  in 


HOW  ARTHUR  BESIEGED  LAUNCELOT     465 

the  Joyous  Gard  ;  and  much  people  draweth  unto  him,  as 
I  hear  say.  That  may  I  believe,  said  Sir  Gawaine  ;  but  my 
lord,  he  said,  assay  your  friends,  and  I  will  assay  mine.  It 
shall  be  done,  said  the  king,  and  as  I  suppose  I  shall  be  big 
enough  to  draw  him  out  of  the  biggest  tower  of  his  castle. 

So  then  the  king  sent  letters  and  writs  throughout  all 
England,  both  in  the  length  and  the  breadth,  for  to  assummon 
all  his  knights.  Thereof  heard  Sir  Launcelot,  and  purveyed 
him  of  many  good  knights,  for  with  him  held  many  knights, 
and  some  for  his  own  sake,  and  some  for  the  queen's  sake. 
Then  came  King  Arthur  with  Sir  Gawaine  with  an  huge 
host,  and  laid  a  siege  all  about  Joyous  Gard,  both  at  the 
town  and  at  the  casde,  and  there  they  made  strong  war  on 
both  parties.  But  in  no  wise  Sir  Launcelot  would  ride  out, 
nor  go  out  of  his  casde,  of  long  time  ;  neither  he  would  none 
of  his  good  knights  to  issue  out,  neither  none  of  the  town 
nor  of  the  casde,  until  fifteen  weeks  were  past. 

Then  it  befell  upon  a  day  in  harvest  time,  Sir  Launcelot 
looked  over  the  walls,  and  spake  on  high  unto  King  Arthur 
and  Sir  Gawaine  :  My  lords  both,  wit  ye  well  all  is  in  vain 
that  ye  make  at  this  siege,  for  here  win  ye  no  worship  but 
maugre  and  dishonour  ;  for  an  it  list  me  to  come  myself 
out  and  my  good  knights,  I  should  full  soon  make  an  end 
of  this  war.  Come  forth,  said  Arthur  unto  Launcelot,  an 
thou  durst,  and  I  promise  thee  I  shall  meet  thee  in  midst 
of  the  field.  God  defend  me,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  ever 
I  should  encounter  with  the  most  noble  king  that  made  me 
knight.  Fie  upon  thy  fair  language,  said  the  king,  for  wit 
you  well  and  trust  it,  I  am  thy  mortal  foe,  and  ever  will 
to  my  death  day  ;  for  thou  hast  slain  my  good  knights, 
and  full  noble  men  of  my  blood,  that  I  shall  never  recover 
again.     Also  thou  hast  dishonoured  my  queen,  and  holden 


466   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

her  many  winters,  and  sithen  like  a  traitor  taken  her  from 
me  by  force. 

My  most  noble  lord  and  king,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye 
may  say  what  ye  will,  for  ye  wot  well  with  yourself  will  I 
not  strive  ;  but  thereas  ye  say  I  have  slain  your  good  knights, 
I  wot  well  that  I  have  done  so,  and  that  me  sore  repenteth  ; 
but  I  was  enforced  to  do  battle  with  them  in  saving  of  my 
life,  or  else  I  must  have  suffered  them  to  have  slain  me. 
And  as  for  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever,  except  your  person 
of  your  highness,  and  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  there  is  no  knight 
under  heaven  that  dare  make  it  good  upon  me,  that  ever 
I  was  a  traitor  unto  your  person.  And  where  it  please 
you  to  say  that  I  have  holden  my  lady  your  queen  many 
winters,  unto  that  I  shall  ever  make  a  large  answer,  and 
prove  it  upon  any  knight  that  beareth  the  life,  except  your 
person  and  Sir  Gawaine,  that  my  lady,  Queen  Guenever, 
is  a  true  lady  unto  your  person  as  any  is  living  unto  her 
lord,  and  that  will  I  make  good  with  my  hands.  Howbeit 
it  hath  liked  her  good  grace  to  have  me  in  chierte,  and  to 
cherish  me  more  than  any  other  knight ;  and  unto  my  power 
I  again  have  deserved  her  love,  for  ofttimes,  my  lord,  ye 
have  consented  that  she  should  be  brent  and  destroyed,  in 
your  heat,  and  then  it  fortuned  me  to  do  battle  for  her, 
and  ere  I  departed  from  her  adversary  they  confessed  their 
untruth,  and  she  full  worshipfully  excused.  And  at  such 
times,  my  lord  Arthur,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  ye  loved  me, 
and  thanked  me  when  I  saved  your  queen  from  the  fire  ; 
and  then  ye  promised  me  for  ever  to  be  my  good  lord  ; 
and  now  methinketh  ye  reward  me  full  ill  for  my  good 
service.  And  my  good  lord,  meseemeth  I  had  lost  a  great 
part  of  my  worship  in  my  knighthood  an  I  had  suffered 
my  lady,  your  queen,  to  have  been  brent,  and  insomuch 


HOW  GAWAINE  BLEW  UPON  LAUNCELOT  467 

she  should  have  been  brent  for  my  sake.  For  si  then  I  have 
done  battles  for  your  queen  in  other  quarrels  than  in  mine 
own,  meseemeth  now  I  had  more  right  to  do  batde  for  her 
in  right  quarrel.  And  therefore  my  good  and  gracious 
lord,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  take  your  queen  unto  your  good 
grace,  for  she  is  both  fair,  true,  and  good. 

Fie  on  thee,  false  recreant  knight,  said  Sir  Gawaine  ; 
I  let  thee  wit  my  lord,  mine  uncle,  King  Arthur,  shall  have 
his  queen  and  thee,  maugre  thy  visage,  and  slay  you  both 
whether  it  please  him.  It  may  well  be,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
but  wit  you  well,  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  an  me  list  to  come 
out  of  this  casde  ye  should  win  me  and  the  queen  more 
harder  than  ever  ye  won  a  strong  batde.  Fie  on  thy  proud 
words,  said  Sir  Gawaine  ;  as  for  my  lady,  the  queen,  I  will 
never  say  of  her  shame.  But  thou,  false  and  recreant  knight, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  what  cause  hadst  thou  to  slay  my  good 
brother  Sir  Gareth,  that  loved  thee  more  than  all  my  kin  ? 
Alas,  thou  madest  him  knight  thine  own  hands ;  why  slew 
thou  him  that  loved  thee  so  well  ?  For  to  excuse  me,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  it  helpeth  me  not,  but  by  the  faith  that  I 
owe  to  the  high  order  of  knighthood,  I  should  with  as  good 
will  have  slain  my  nephew,  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  at  that  time. 
But  alas  that  ever  I  was  so  unhappy,  said  Launcelot,  that  I 
had  not  seen  Sir  Gareth  and  Sir  Gaheris. 

Thou  liest,  recreant  knight,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  thou 
slewest  him  in  despite  of  me  ;  and  therefore,  wit  thou  well 
I  shall  make  war  to  thee,  and  all  the  while  that  I  may  live. 
And  then  Sir  Gawaine  made  many  men  to  blow  upon  Sir 
Launcelot  ;  and  all  at  once  they  called  him  false  recreant 
knight. 

Then  when  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  and 
Sir    Lionel    heard    this   outcry,    they   called    to    them    Sir 


468   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

Palomides,  Sir  Safere's  brother,  and  Sir  Lavaine,  with  many 
more  of  their  blood,  and  all  they  went  unto  Sir  Launcelot, 
and  said  thus  :  My  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  wit  ye  well  we  have 
great  scorn  of  the  great  rebukes  that  we  heard  Gawaine 
say  to  you  ;  wherefore  we  pray  you,  and  charge  you  as  ye 
will  have  our  service,  keep  us  no  longer  within  these  walls  ; 
for  wit  you  well  plainly,  we  will  ride  into  the  field  and  do 
batde  with  them  ;  for  ye  fare  as  a  man  that  were  afeard, 
and  for  all  your  fair  speech  it  will  not  avail  you.  For  wit 
you  well  Sir  Gawaine  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  accorded 
with  King  Arthur,  and  therefore  fight  for  your  life  and 
your  right,  an  ye  dare. 

Then  either  party  made  them  ready  on  the  morn  for  to 
do  battle,  and  great  purveyance  was  made  on  both  sides  ; 
and  Sir  Gawaine  let  purvey  many  knights  for  to  wait  upon 
Sir  Launcelot,  for  to  overset  him  and  to  slay  him.  And  on 
the  morn  at  underne  Sir  Arthur  was  ready  in  the  field  with 
three  great  hosts.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot's  fellowship 
came  out  at  three  gates,  in  a  full  good  array  ;  and  Sir  Lionel 
came  in  the  foremost  battle,  and  Sir  Launcelot  came  in  the 
middle,  and  Sir  Bors  came  out  at  the  third  gate.  Thus 
they  came  in  order  and  rule,  as  full  noble  knights  ;  and 
always  Sir  Launcelot  charged  all  his  knights  in  any  wise  to 
save  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Gawaine. 

Then  came  forth  Sir  Gawaine  from  the  king's  host,  and 
he  came  before  and  proffered  to  joust.  And  Sir  Lionel 
was  a  fierce  knight,  and  lighdy  he  encountered  with  Sir 
Gawaine  ;  and  there  Sir  Gawaine  smote  Sir  Lionel  through- 
out the  body,  that  he  dashed  to  the  earth  like  as  he  had 
been  dead  ;  and  then  Sir  Ector  de  Maris  and  other  more 
bare  him  into  the  castle.  Then  there  began  a  great  stour, 
and  much  people  was  slain  ;    and  ever  King  Arthur  was 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  HORSED  ARTHUR    469 

nigh  about  Sir  Launcelot  to  have  slain  him,  and  Sir  Launcelot 
suffered  him,  and  would  not  strike  again.  So  Sir  Bors 
encountered  with  King  Arthur,  and  there  with  a  spear  Sir 
Bors  smote  him  down  ;  and  so  he  alighted  and  drew  his 
sword,  and  said  to  Sir  Launcelot :  Shall  I  make  an  end  of 
this  war  ?  and  that  he  meant  to  have  slain  King  Arthur. 
Not  so  hardy,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  upon  pain  of  thy  head, 
that  thou  touch  him  no  more,  for  I  will  never  see  that  most 
noble  king  that  made  me  knight  neither  slain  ne  shamed. 
And  therewithal  Sir  Launcelot  alighted  off  his  horse  and 
took  up  the  king  and  horsed  him  again,  and  said  thus  : 
My  lord  Arthur,  for  God's  love  stint  this  strife,  for  ye  get 
here  no  worship,  an  I  would  do  mine  utterance  ;  but  always 
I  forbear  you,  and  ye  nor  none  of  yours  forbeareth  me. 
My  lord,  remember  what  I  have  done  in  many  places,  and 
now  I  am  evil  rewarded. 

Then  when  King  Arthur  was  on  horseback,  he  looked 
upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  then  the  tears  brast  out  of  his 
eyen,  thinking  on  the  great  courtesy  that  was  in  Sir  Launce- 
lot more  than  in  any  other  man  ;  and  therewith  the  king 
rode  his  way,  and  might  no  longer  behold  him,  and  said  : 
Alas,  that  ever  this  war  began.  And  then  either  parties  of 
the  batdes  withdrew  them  to  repose  them,  and  buried  the 
dead,  and  to  the  wounded  men  they  laid  soft  salves  ;  and 
thus  they  endured  that  night  till  on  the  morn.  And  on  the 
morn  by  underne  they  made  them  ready  to  do  batde.  And 
then  Sir  Bors  led  the  forward. 

So  upon  the  morn  there  came  Sir  Gawaine  as  brim  as 
any  boar,  with  a  great  spear  in  his  hand.  And  when  Sir 
Bors  saw  him  he  thought  to  revenge  his  brother  Sir  Lionel 
of  the  despite  that  Sir  Gawaine  did  him  the  other  day. 
And  so  they,  that  knew  either  other,  feutred  their  spears, 

21 


47o   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

and  with  all  their  mights  of  their  horses  and  themselves, 
they  met  together  so  felonously  that  either  bare  other 
through,  and  so  they  fell  both  to  the  earth  ;  and  then  the 
battles  joined,  and  there  was  much  slaughter  on  both  parties. 
So  when  Sir  Gawaine  was  hurt,  they  on  King  Arthur's 
party  were  not  so  orgulous  as  they  were  toforehand  to  do 
battle.  Of  this  war  was  noised  through  all  Christendom, 
and  at  the  last  it  was  noised  afore  the  Pope  ;  and  he  con- 
sidering the  great  goodness  of  King  Arthur,  and  of  Sir 
Launcelot,  that  was  called  the  most  noblest  knights  of  the 
world,  wherefore  the  Pope  called  unto  him  a  noble  clerk 
that  at  that  time  was  there  present — the  French  book  saith, 
it  was  the  Bishop  of  Rochester — and  the  Pope  gave  him 
bulls  under  lead  unto  King  Arthur  of  England,  charging 
him  upon  pain  of  interdicting  of  all  England,  that  he  take 
his  queen  Dame  Guenever  unto  him  again,  and  accord  with 
Sir  Launcelot. 


HOW  THE  POPE  SENT  DOWN 
HIS  BULLS  TO  MAKE  PEACE, 
AND  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT 
BROUGHT  THE  QUEEN  TO 
KING  ARTHUR.  So  when  this 
Bishop  was  come  to  Carlisle  he  shewed 
the  king  these  bulls.  And  when  the 
king  understood  these  bulls  he  nist 
what  to  do :  full  fain  he  would  have 
been  accorded  with  Sir  Launcelot,  but  Sir  Gawaine  would  not 
suffer  him  ;  but  as  for  to  have  the  queen,  thereto  he  agreed. 
And  then  the  Bishop  had  of  the  king  his  great  seal,  and  his 
assurance  as  he  was  a  true  anointed  king  that  Sir  Launcelot 
should  come  safe,  and  go  safe,  and  that  the  queen  should 


HOW  THE  POPE  MADE  PEACE  471 

not  be  spoken  unto  of  the  king,  nor  of  none  other,  for  no 
thing  done  afore  time  past ;  and  of  all  these  appointments 
the  Bishop  brought  with  him  sure  assurance  and  writing, 
to  shew  Sir  Launcelot. 

So  when  the  Bishop  was  come  to  Joyous  Gard,  there 
he  shewed  Sir  Launcelot  how  the  Pope  had  written  to 
Arthur  and  unto  him,  and  there  he  told  him  the  perils  if 
he  withheld  the  queen  from  the  king.  It  was  never  in 
my  thought,  said  Launcelot,  to  withhold  the  queen  from 
my  lord  Arthur  ;  but,  insomuch  she  should  have  been 
dead  for  my  sake,  meseemeth  it  was  my  part  to  save  her 
life,  and  put  her  from  that  danger,  till  better  recover  might 
come.  And  now  I  thank  God,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  that 
the  Pope  hath  made  her  peace  ;  for  God  knoweth,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  I  will  be  a  thousandfold  more  gladder  to 
bring  her  again,  than  ever  I  was  of  her  taking  away  ;  with 
this,  I  may  be  sure  to  come  safe  and  go  safe,  and  that  the 
queen  shall  have  her  liberty  as  she  had  before  ;  and  never 
for  no  thing  that  hath  been  surmised  afore  this  time,  she 
never  from  this  day  stand  in  no  peril. 

So  the  Bishop  departed  and  came  to  the  king  at  Carlisle, 
and  told  him  all  how  Sir  Launcelot  answered  him  ;  and  then 
the  tears  brast  out  of  the  king's  eyen.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
purveyed  him  an  hundred  knights,  and  all  were  clothed  in 
green  velvet,  and  their  horses  trapped  to  their  heels  ;  and 
every  knight  held  a  branch  of  olive  in  his  hand,  in  tokening 
of  peace.  And  the  queen  had  four-and- twenty  gentle- 
women following  her  in  the  same  wise  ;  and  Sir  Launcelot 
had  twelve  coursers  following  him,  and  on  every  courser 
sat  a  young  gentleman,  and  all  they  were  arrayed  in  green 
velvet,  with  sarps  of  gold  about  their  quarters,  and  the  horse 
trapped  in  the  same  wise  down  to  the  heels,  with  many 


472   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

ouches,  y-set  with  stones  and  pearls  in  gold,  to  the  number 
of  a  thousand.  And  she  and  Sir  Launcelot  were  clothed 
in  white  cloth  of  gold  tissue  ;  and  right  so  as  ye  have  heard, 
as  the  French  book  maketh  mention,  he  rode  with  the  queen 
from  Joyous  Gard  to  Carlisle.  And  so  Sir  Launcelot  rode 
throughout  Carlisle,  and  so  in  the  castle,  that  all  men  might 
behold  ;  and  wit  you  well  there  was  many  a  weeping  eye. 
And  then  Sir  Launcelot  himself  alighted  and  avoided  his 
horse,  and  took  the  queen,  and  so  led  her  where  King  Arthur 
was  in  his  seat :  and  Sir  Gawaine  sat  afore  him,  and  many 
other  great  lords.  So  when  Sir  Launcelot  saw  the  king  and 
Sir  Gawaine,  then  he  led  the  queen  by  the  arm,  and  then  he 
kneeled  down,  and  the  queen  both.  Wit  you  well  then  was 
there  many  bold  knights  there  with  King  Arthur  that  wept 
as  tenderly  as  though  they  had  seen  all  their  kin  afore  them. 
So  the  king  sat  still,  and  said  no  word.  And  when  Sir 
Launcelot  saw  his  countenance,  he  arose  and  pulled  up  the 
queen  with  him,  and  thus  he  spake  full  knightly. 

My  most  redoubted  king,  ye  shall  understand,  by  the 
Pope's  commandment  and  yours,  I  have  brought  to  you 
my  lady  the  queen,  as  right  requireth  ;  and  if  there  be 
any  knight,  of  whatsomever  degree  that  he  be,  except  your 
person,  that  will  say,  or  dare  say,  but  that  she  is  true  and  clean 
to  you,  I  here  myself,  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  will  make  it 
good  upon  his  body,  that  she  is  a  true  lady  unto  you  ;  but 
liars  ye  have  listened,  and  that  hath  caused  debate  betwixt 
you  and  me.  For  time  hath  been,  my  lord  Arthur,  that  ye 
have  been  greatly  pleased  with  me  when  I  did  battle  for 
my  lady,  your  queen  ;  and  full  well  ye  know,  my  most 
noble  king,  that  she  hath  been  put  to  great  wrong  ere  this 
time  ;  and  sithen  it  pleased  you  at  many  times  that  I  should 
fight  for  her,  meseemeth,  my  good  lord,  I  had  more  cause 


OF  SIR  GAWAINE  AND  SIR  LAUNCELOT   473 

to  rescue  her  from  the  fire,  insomuch  she  should  have  been 
brent  for  my  sake.  For  they  that  told  you  those  tales  were 
liars,  and  so  it  fell  upon  them  ;  for  by  likelihood  had  not 
the  might  of  God  been  with  me,  I  might  never  have  endured 
fourteen  knights,  and  they  armed  and  afore  purposed,  and 
I  unarmed  and  not  purposed.  And  as  Jesu  be  my  help, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  slew  never  Sir  Gareth  nor  Sir  Gaheris 
by  my  will  ;  but  alas  that  ever  they  were  unarmed  that 
unhappy  day.  But  thus  much  I  shall  offer  me,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  if  it  may  please  the  king's  good  grace,  and  you, 
my  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  I  shall  first  begin  at  Sandwich,  and 
there  I  shall  go  in  my  shirt,  barefoot ;  and  at  every  ten 
miles'  end  I  will  found  and  gar  make  an  house  of  religion, 
of  what  order  that  ye  will  assign  me,  with  an  whole  convent, 
to  sing  and  read,  day  and  night,  in  especial  for  Sir  Gareth's 
sake  and  Sir  Gaheris.  And  this  shall  I  perform  from  Sand- 
wich unto  Carlisle  ;  and  every  house  shall  have  sufficient 
livelihood.  And  this  shall  I  perform  while  I  have  any 
livelihood  in  Christendom  ;  and  there  nis  none  of  all  these 
religious  places,  but  they  shall  be  performed,  furnished  and 
garnished  in  all  things  as  an  holy  place  ought  to  be,  I  promise 
you  faithfully.  And  this,  Sir  Gawaine,  methinketh  were 
more  fairer,  holier,  and  more  better  to  their  souls,  than  ye, 
my  most  noble  king,  and  you,  Sir  Gawaine,  to  war  upon  me, 
for  thereby  shall  ye  get  none  avail. 

Then  all  knights  and  ladies  that  were  there  wept  as 
they  were  mad,  and  the  tears  fell  on  King  Arthur's  cheeks. 
Sir  Launcelot,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  have  right  well  heard 
thy  speech,  and  thy  great  proffers,  but  wit  thou  well,  let 
the  king  do  as  it  pleaseth  him,  I  will  never  forgive  my  brothers' 
death,  and  in  especial  the  death  of  my  brother,  Sir  Gareth. 
And  if  mine  uncle,  King  Arthur,  will  accord  with  thee,  he 


474  OF   LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

shall  lose  my  service  ;  for  wit  thou  well  thou  art  both  false 
to  the  king  and  to  me.  Sir,  said  Launcelot,  he  beareth  not 
the  life  that  may  make  that  good  ;  and  if  ye,  Sir  Gawaine, 
will  charge  me  with  so  high  a  thing,  ye  must  pardon  me, 
for  then  needs  must  I  answer  you.  Nay,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
we  are  past  that  at  this  time,  and  that  caused  the  Pope,  for 
he  hath  charged  mine  uncle,  the  king,  that  he  shall  take  his 
queen  again,  and  to  accord  with  thee,  Sir  Launcelot,  as  for 
this  season,  and  therefore  thou  shalt  go  safe  as  thou  earnest. 
But  in  this  land  thou  shalt  not  abide  past  fifteen  days,  such 
summons  I  give  thee  :  so  the  king  and  we  were  consented 
and  accorded  ere  thou  earnest.  And  else,  said  Sir  Gawaine, 
wit  thou  well  thou  shouldst  not  have  come  here,  but  if  it 
were  maugre  thy  head.  And  if  it  were  not  for  the  Pope's 
commandment,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  I  should  do  battle  with 
mine  own  body  against  thy  body,  and  prove  it  upon  thee, 
that  thou  hast  been  both  false  unto  mine  uncle  King  Arthur, 
and  to  me  both  ;  and  that  shall  I  prove  upon  thy  body, 
when  thou  art  departed  from  hence,  wheresomever  I  find 
thee. 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  DEPARTED  FROM 
THE  KING  AND  FROM  JOYOUS  GARD 
OVER  SEAWARD,  AND  HOW  KING 
ARTHUR  AND  SIR  GAWAINE  WITH  A  GREAT 
HOST  MADE  WAR  ON  SIR  LAUNCELOT.  Then 
Sir  Launcelot  sighed,  and  therewith  the  tears  fell  on  his 
cheeks,  and  then  he  said  thus  :  Alas,  most  noble  Christian 
realm,  whom  I  have  loved  above  all  other  realms,  and  in 
thee  I  have  gotten  a  great  part  of  my  worship,  and  now  I 
shall  depart  in  this  wise.  Make  thou  no  more  language, 
said  Sir  Gawaine,  but  deliver  the  queen  from  thee,  and  pike 


HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  DEPARTED   475 

thee  lightly  out  of  this  court.  Well,  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
an  I  had  wist  of  this  short  coming,  I  would  have  advised  me 
twice  or  that  I  had  come  hither  ;  for  an  the  queen  had  been 
so  dear  to  me  as  ye  noise  her,  I  durst  have  kept  her  from 
the  fellowship  of  the  best  knights  under  heaven. 

And  then  Sir  Launcelot  said  unto  Guenever,  in  hearing 
of  the  king  and  them  all  :  Madam,  now  I  must  depart 
from  you  and  this  noble  fellowship  for  ever  ;  and  sithen  it 
is  so,  I  beseech  you  to  pray  for  me,  and  say  me  well  ;  and 
if  ye  be  hard  bestead  by  any  false  tongues,  lightly,  my  lady, 
let  send  me  word,  and  if  any  knight's  hands  may  deliver  you 
by  battle,  I  shall  deliver  you.  And  therewithal  Sir  Launcelot 
kissed  the  queen  ;  and  then  he  said  all  openly  :  Now  let 
see  what  he  be  in  this  place  that  dare  say  the  queen  is  not 
true  unto  my  lord  Arthur,  let  see  who  will  speak  an  he  dare 
speak.  And  therewith  he  brought  the  queen  to  the  king, 
and  then  Sir  Launcelot  took  his  leave  and  departed  ;  and 
there  was  neither  king,  duke,  nor  earl,  baron  nor  knight, 
lady  nor  gendewoman,  but  all  they  wept  as  people  out  of 
their  mind,  except  Sir  Gawaine.  And  when  the  noble  Sir 
Launcelot  took  his  horse  to  ride  out  of  Carlisle,  there  was 
sobbing  and  weeping  for  pure  dole  of  his  departing  ;  and 
so  he  took  his  way  unto  Joyous  Gard.  And  then  ever  after 
he  called  it  the  Dolorous  Gard.  And  thus  departed  Sir 
Launcelot  from  the  court  for  ever. 

And  so  when  he  came  to  Joyous  Gard  he  called  his 
fellowship  unto  him,  and  asked  them  what  they  would  do. 
Then  they  answered  all  wholly  together  with  one  voice, 
they  would  as  he  would  do.  My  fair  fellows,  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  I  must  depart  out  of  this  most  noble  realm,  and 
now  I  shall  depart  it  grieveth  me  sore,  for  I  shall  depart 
with  no  worship  ;  for  a  banished  man  departed  never  out 


476   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

of  no  realm  with  worship,  and  that  is  my  heaviness,  for 
ever  I  fear  after  my  days  that  men  shall  chronicle  upon 
me  that  I  was  banished  out  of  this  land  ;  and  else,  my  fair 
lords,  be  ye  sure,  an  I  had  not  dread  shame,  my  lady,  Queen 
Guenever,  and  I  should  never  have  departed. 

Then  spake  many  noble  knights,  as  Sir  Palomides,  Sir 
Safere  his  brother,  and  Sir  Bellangere  le  Beuse,  and  Sir 
Urre,  with  Sir  Lavaine,  with  many  others  :  Sir,  an  ye  be 
so  disposed  to  abide  in  this  land  we  will  never  fail  you  ;  and 
if  ye  list  not  to  abide  in  this  land  there  nis  none  of  the  good 
knights  that  here  be  will  fail  you. 

Truly,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  thank  you  all  of  your  good 
saying.  So  they  were  accorded  to  go  with  Sir  Launcelot 
to  his  lands  ;  and  to  make  short  tale,  they  trussed,  and  paid 
all  that  would  ask  them  ;  and  wholly  an  hundred  knights 
departed  with  Sir  Launcelot  at  once,  and  made  their  avows 
they  would  never  leave  him  for  weal  nor  for  woe. 

And  so  they  shipped  at  Cardiff,  and  sailed  unto  Benwick  : 
some  men  call  it  Bayonne,  and  some  men  call  it  Beaume, 
where  the  wine  of  Beaume  is.  And  then  Sir  Launcelot 
stuffed  and  furnished  and  garnished  all  his  noble  towns  and 
castles. 

Then  King  Arthur  and  Sir  Gawaine  made  a  great  host 
ready,  to  the  number  of  threescore  thousand  ;  and  all  thing 
was  made  ready  for  their  shipping  to  pass  over  the  sea,  and 
so  they  shipped  at  Cardiff.  And  there  King  Arthur  made 
Sir  Mordred  chief  ruler  of  all  England,  and  also  he  put 
Queen  Guenever  under  his  governance  ;  because  Sir  Mordred 
was  King  Arthur's  son,  he  gave  him  the  rule  of  his  land  and 
of  his  wife  ;  and  so  the  king  passed  the  sea  and  landed  upon 
Sir  Launcelot's  lands,  and  there  he  brent  and  wasted,  through 
the  vengeance  of  Sir  Gawaine,  all  that  they  might  overrun. 


ARTHUR  LAYS  SIEGE  TO  BENWICK     477 

And  upon  the  morn  early,  in  the  dawning  of  the  day, 
as  Sir  Launcelot's  knights  looked  out,  they  saw  the  city  of 
Benwick  besieged  round  about ;  and  fast  they  began  to  set 
up  ladders,  and  then  they  defied  them  out  of  the  town,  and 
beat  them  from  the  walls  wighdy.  Then  came  forth  Sir 
Gawaine  well  armed  upon  a  stiff  steed,  and  he  came  before  the 
chief  gate,  with  his  spear  in  his  hand,  crying  :  Sir  Launcelot, 
where  art  thou  ?  is  there  none  of  you  proud  knights  dare 
break  a  spear  with  me  ?  Then  Sir  Bors  made  him  ready,  and 
came  forth  out  of  the  town,  and  there  Sir  Gawaine  encoun- 
tered with  Sir  Bors.  And  at  that  time  he  smote  Sir  Bors 
down  from  his  horse,  and  almost  he  had  slain  him  ;  and  so 
Sir  Bors  was  rescued  and  borne  into  the  town.  Then  came 
forth  Sir  Lionel,  brother  to  Sir  Bors,  and  thought  to  revenge 
him  ;  and  either  feutred  their  spears,  and  ran  together  ; 
and  there  they  met  spitefully,  but  Sir  Gawaine  had  such 
grace  that  he  smote  Sir  Lionel  down,  and  wounded  him 
there  passing  sore  ;  and  then  Sir  Lionel  was  rescued  and 
borne  into  the  town.  And  thus  Sir  Gawaine  came  every 
day,  and  he  failed  not  but  that  he  smote  down  one  knight 
or  other. 

So  thus  they  endured  half  a  year,  and  much  slaughter 
was  of  people  on  both  parties.  Then  it  befell  upon  a  day, 
Sir  Gawaine  came  afore  the  gates  armed  at  all  pieces  on  a 
noble  horse,  with  a  great  spear  in  his  hand  ;  and  then  he 
cried  with  a  loud  voice  :  Where  art  thou  now,  thou  false 
traitor,  Sir  Launcelot  ?  Why  hidest  thou  thyself  within 
holes  and  walls  like  a  coward  ?  Look  out  now,  thou  false 
traitor  knight,  and  here  I  shall  revenge  upon  thy  body  the 
death  of  my  three  brethren. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  bade  saddle  his  strongest  horse,  and 
bade  let  fetch  his  arms,  and  bring  all  unto  the  gate  of  the 


478   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

tower  ;  and  then  Sir  Launcelot  spake  on  high  unto  King 
Arthur,  and  said  :  My  lord  Arthur,  and  noble  king  that 
made  me  knight,  wit  you  well  I  am  right  heavy  for  your 
sake,  that  ye  thus  sue  upon  me  ;  and  always  I  forbear  you, 
for  an  I  would  have  been  vengeable,  I  might  have  met  you 
in  midst  of  the  field,  and  there  to  have  made  your  boldest 
knights  full  tame.  And  now  I  have  forborne  half  a  year, 
and  suffered  you  and  Sir  Gawaine  to  do  what  ye  would  do  ; 
and  now  may  I  endure  it  no  longer,  for  now  must  I  needs 
defend  myself,  insomuch  Sir  Gawaine  hath  appealed  me  of 
treason  ;  the  which  is  greatly  against  my  will  that  ever  I 
should  fight  against  any  of  your  blood,  but  now  I  may  not 
forsake  it ;  I  am  driven  thereto  as  a  beast  to  bay. 

Then  Sir  Gawaine  and  Sir  Launcelot  departed  a  great 
way  asunder,  and  then  they  came  together  with  all  their 
horses'  might  as  they  might  run,  and  either  smote  other 
in  midst  of  their  shields  ;  but  the  knights  were  so  strong, 
and  their  spears  so  big,  that  their  horses  might  not  endure 
their  buffets,  and  so  their  horses  fell  to  the  earth  ;  and 
then  they  avoided  their  horses,  and  dressed  their  shields 
afore  them.  Then  they  stood  together  and  gave  many  sad 
strokes  on  divers  places  of  their  bodies,  that  the  blood  brast 
out  on  many  sides  and  places.  Then  had  Sir  Gawaine  such 
a  grace  and  gift  that  an  holy  man  had  given  to  him,  that 
every  day  in  the  year,  from  underne  till  high  noon,  his 
might  increased  those  three  hours  as  much  as  thrice  his 
strength,  and  that  caused  Sir  Gawaine  to  win  great  honour. 
And  for  his  sake  King  Arthur  made  an  ordinance,  that  all 
manner  of  battles  for  any  quarrels  that  should  be  done  afore 
King  Arthur  should  begin  at  underne  ;  and  all  was  done 
for  Sir  Gawaine's  love,  that  by  likelihood,  if  Sir  Gawaine 
were  on  the  one  part,  he  should  have  the  better  in  batde 


HOW  LAUNCELOT  FOUGHT  GAWAINE   479 

while  his  strength  endureth  three  hours  ;  but  there  were 
but  few  knights  that  time  living  that  knew  this  advantage 
that  Sir  Gawaine  had,  but  King  Arthur  all  only. 

Thus  Sir  Launcelot  fought  with  Sir  Gawaine,  and  when 
Sir  Launcelot  felt  his  might  evermore  increase,  Sir  Launcelot 
wondered  and  dread  him  sore  to  be  shamed.  For  as  the 
French  book  saith,  Sir  Launcelot  weened,  when  he  felt  Sir 
Gawaine  double  his  strength,  that  he  had  been  a  fiend  and 
none  earthly  man  ;  wherefore  Sir  Launcelot  traced  and 
traversed,  and  covered  himself  with  his  shield,  and  kept  his 
might  and  his  braid  during  three  hours  ;  and  that  while 
Sir  Gawaine  gave  him  many  sad  brunts,  and  many  sad 
strokes,  that  all  the  knights  that  beheld  Sir  Launcelot 
marvelled  how  that  he  might  endure  him  ;  but  full  litde 
understood  they  that  travail  that  Sir  Launcelot  had  for  to 
endure  him.  And  then  when  it  was  past  noon  Sir  Gawaine 
had  no  more  but  his  own  might.  When  Sir  Launcelot  felt 
him  so  come  down,  then  he  stretched  him  up  and  stood  near 
Sir  Gawaine,  and  said  thus  :  My  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  now  I 
feel  ye  have  done  ;  now  my  lord  Sir  Gawaine,  I  must  do 
my  part,  for  many  great  and  grievous  strokes  I  have  endured 
you  this  day  with  great  pain. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  doubled  his  strokes  and  gave  Sir 
Gawaine  such  a  buffet  on  the  helmet  that  he  fell  down  on 
his  side,  and  Sir  Launcelot  withdrew  him  from  him.  Why 
withdrawest  thou  thee  ?  said  Sir  Gawaine  ;  now  turn  again, 
false  traitor  knight,  and  slay  me,  for  an  thou  leave  me  thus, 
when  I  am  whole  I  shall  do  batde  with  thee  again.  I  shall 
endure  you,  Sir,  by  God's  grace,  but  wit  thou  well,  Sir 
Gawaine,  I  will  never  smite  a  felled  knight. 

And  then  he  turned  him  and  went  his  way  toward  the 
city.     And  Sir  Gawaine  evermore  calling  him  traitor  knight, 


480   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

and  said  :  Wit  thou  well  Sir  Launcelot,  when  I  am  whole 
I  shall  do  battle  with  thee  again,  for  I  shall  never  leave  thee 
till  that  one  of  us  be  slain.  Thus  as  this  siege  endured,  and 
as  Sir  Gawaine  lay  sick  near  a  month,  and  when  he  was 
well  recovered  and  ready  within  three  days  to  do  battle 
again  with  Sir  Launcelot,  right  so  came  tidings  unto  Arthur 
from  England  that  made  King  Arthur  and  all  his  host  to 
remove. 

HOW  SIR  MORDRED  TOOK  ON  HIM  TO  BE 
KING  OF  ENGLAND,  AND  HOW  KING 
ARTHUR  RETURNED  TO  DOVER,  AND  OF 
THE  BATTLE  THERE,  AND  HOW  SIR  GAWAINE 
WAS  SLAIN.  As  Sir  Mordred  was  ruler  of  all  England,  he 
did  do  make  letters  as  though  that  they  came  from  beyond  the 
sea,  and  the  letters  specified  that  King  Arthur  was  slain  in 
battle  with  Sir  Launcelot.  Wherefore  Sir  Mordred  made  a 
parliament,  and  called  the  lords  together,  and  there  he  made 
them  to  choose  him  king  ;  and  so  was  he  crowned  at  Canter- 
bury, and  held  a  feast  there  fifteen  days  ;  and  afterward 
he  drew  him  unto  Winchester,  and  there  he  took  the  Queen 
Guenever,  and  said  plainly  that  he  would  wed  her  which 
was  his  uncle's  wife  and  his  father's  wife.  And  so  he  made 
ready  for  the  feast,  and  a  day  prefixed  that  they  should  be 
wedded  ;  wherefore  Queen  Guenever  was  passing  heavy. 
But  she  durst  not  discover  her  heart,  but  spake  fair,  and 
agreed  to  Sir  Mordred's  will.  Then  she  desired  of  Sir 
Mordred  for  to  go  to  London,  to  buy  all  manner  of  things 
that  longed  unto  the  wedding.  And  because  of  her  fair 
speech  Sir  Mordred  trusted  her  well  enough,  and  gave  her 
leave  to  go.  And  so  when  she  came  to  London  she  took 
the  Tower  of  London,  and  suddenly  in  all  haste  possible 


SIR-.MORWXT)-  WENT  ANP-LAlD-  AMI  CHTY  SI  EGl^  ABOUT 
THE- TOWER- OT  LQNPON ■  AND- SHOT- GREAT-GUNS • 


OF  QUEEN  GUENEVER  AND  SIR  MORDRED  481 

she  stuffed  it  with  all  manner  of  victual,  and  well  garnished 
it  with  men,  and  so  kept  it. 

Then  when  Sir  Mordred  wist  and  understood  how  he 
was  beguiled,  he  was  passing  wroth  out  of  measure.  And 
a  short  tale  for  to  make,  he  went  and  laid  a  mighty  siege 
about  the  Tower  of  London,  and  made  many  great  assaults 
thereat,  and  threw  many  great  engines  unto  them,  and 
shot  great  guns.  But  all  might  not  prevail  Sir  Mordred, 
for  Queen  Guenever,  for  fair  speech  nor  for  foul,  would 
never  trust  to  come  in  his  hands  again. 

Then  came  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury,  the  which  was  a 
noble  clerk  and  an  holy  man,  and  thus  he  said  to  Sir  Mordred  : 
Sir,  what  will  ye  do  ?  will  ye  first  displease  God  and  sithen 
shame  yourself,  and  all  knighthood  ?  Sir,  said  the  noble 
clerk,  leave  this  opinion  or  else  I  shall  curse  you  with  book 
and  bell  and  candle.  Do  thou  thy  worst,  said  Sir  Mordred, 
wit  thou  well  I  shall  defy  thee.  So  the  Bishop  departed  and 
did  the  cursing  in  the  most  orgulist  wise  that  might  be  done. 
And  then  Sir  Mordred  sought  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury, 
for  to  have  slain  him.  Then  the  Bishop  fled,  and  took  part 
of  his  goods  with  him,  and  went  nigh  unto  Glastonbury  ; 
and  there  he  was  as  priest  hermit  in  a  chapel,  and  lived  in 
poverty  and  in  holy  prayers,  for  well  he  understood  that 
mischievous  war  was  at  hand. 

Then  came  word  to  Sir  Mordred  that  King  Arthur  had 
araised  the  siege  for  Sir  Launcelot,  and  he  was  coming 
homeward  with  a  great  host,  to  be  avenged  upon  Sir 
Mordred  ;  wherefore  Sir  Mordred  made  write  writs  to  all 
the  barony  of  this  land,  and  much  people  drew  to  him. 
For  then  was  the  common  voice  among  them  that  with 
Arthur  was  none  other  life  but  war  and  strife,  and  with  Sir 
Mordred  was  great  joy  and  bliss.     Thus  was  Sir  Arthur 


482  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

depraved,  and  evil  said  of.  Lo  ye  all  Englishmen,  see  ye 
not  what  a  mischief  here  was  !  for  he  that  was  the  most 
king  and  knight  of  the  world,  and  most  loved  the  fellowship 
of  noble  knights,  and  by  him  they  were  all  upholden,  now 
might  not  these  Englishmen  hold  them  content  with  him. 
Lo  thus  was  the  old  custom  and  usage  of  this  land  ;  and 
also  men  say  that  we  of  this  land  have  not  yet  lost  nor  for- 
gotten that  custom  and  usage.  Alas,  this  is  a  great  default 
of  us  Englishmen,  for  there  may  no  tiling  please  us  no  term. 
And  so  fared  the  people  at  that  time.  And  so  Sir  Mordred 
drew  with  a  great  host  to  Dover,  for  there  he  heard  say  that 
Sir  Arthur  would  arrive. 

And  so  as  Sir  Mordred  was  at  Dover  with  his  host,  there 
came  King  Arthur  with  a  great  navy  of  ships,  and  galleys, 
and  carracks.  And  there  was  Sir  Mordred  ready  awaiting 
upon  his  landing,  to  let  his  own  father  to  land  upon  the 
land  that  he  was  king  over.  Then  there  was  launching  of 
great  boats  and  small,  and  full  of  noble  men  of  arms  ;  and 
there  was  much  slaughter  of  gentle  knights,  and  many  a 
full  bold  baron  was  laid  full  low,  on  both  parties.  But  King 
Arthur  was  so  courageous  that  there  might  no  manner  of 
knights  let  him  to  land,  and  his  knights  fiercely  followed 
him  ;  and  so  they  landed  maugre  Sir  Mordred  and  all  his 
power,  and  put  Sir  Mordred  aback,  that  he  fled  and  all  his 
people. 

So  when  this  battle  was  done,  King  Arthur  let  bury  his 
people  that  were  dead.  And  then  was  noble  Sir  Gawaine 
found  in  a  great  boat,  lying  more  than  half  dead.  When 
Sir  Arthur  wist  that  Sir  Gawaine  was  laid  so  low,  he  went 
unto  him  ;  and  there  the  king  made  sorrow  out  of  measure, 
and  took  Sir  Gawaine  in  his  arms,  and  thrice  he  there 
swooned.     And  then  when  he  awaked,  he  said  :    Alas,  Sir 


HOW  SIR  GAWAINE  DIED  483 

Gawaine,  my  sister's  son,  here  now  thou  liest,  the  man  in 
the  world  that  I  loved  most ;  and  now  is  my  joy  gone,  for 
in  Sir  Launcelot  and  you  I  most  had  my  joy,  and  mine 
affiance,  and  now  have  I  lost  my  joy  of  you  both  ;  wherefore 
all  mine  earthly  joy  is  gone  from  me.  Mine  uncle  King 
Arthur,  said  Sir  Gawaine,  wit  you  well  my  death-day  is 
come,  and  all  is  through  mine  own  hastiness  and  wilfulness  ; 
for  I  am  smitten  upon  the  old  wound  the  which  Sir  Launcelot 
gave  me,  on  the  which  I  feel  well  I  must  die  ;  and  had  Sir 
Launcelot  been  with  you  as  he  was,  this  unhappy  war  had 
never  begun  ;  and  of  all  this  am  I  causer,  for  Sir  Launcelot 
and  his  blood,  through  their  prowess,  held  all  your  cankered 
enemies  in  subjection  and  daunger. 

And  then  Sir  Gawaine  prayed  the  king  for  to  send  for 
Sir  Launcelot,  and  to  cherish  him  above  all  other  knights. 

And  so  at  the  hour  of  noon  Sir  Gawaine  yielded  up 
the  spirit ;  and  then  the  king  let  inter  him  in  a  chapel 
within  Dover  Castle  ;  and  there  yet  all  men  may  see  the 
skull  of  him,  and  the  same  wound  is  seen  that  Sir  Launcelot 
gave  him  in  battle.  Then  was  it  told  the  king  that  Sir 
Mordred  had  pitched  a  new  field  upon  Barham  Down.  And 
upon  the  morn  the  king  rode  thither  to  him,  and  there  was 
a  great  battle  betwixt  them,  and  much  people  was  slain  on 
both  parties  ;  but  at  the  last  Sir  Arthur's  party  stood  best, 
and  Sir  Mordred  and  his  party  fled  unto  Canterbury. 


2K 


484  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

HOW  SIR  GAWAINE'S  GHOST  AP- 
PEARED TO  KING  ARTHUR,  AND 
WARNED  HIM  NOT  TO  FIGHT  ON 
THE  DAY  ASSIGNED,  AND  HOW 
BYMIS  AD  VENTURE  OF  AN  ADDER 
A  BATTLE  BEGAN,  WHERE  MOR- 
DRED  WAS  SLAIN  AND  ARTHUR 
HURT  TO  THE  DEATH.  Then  much 
people  drew  unto  King  Arthur.  And  then  King  Arthur 
drew  him  with  his  host  down  by  the  seaside,  westward  toward 
Salisbury  ;  and  there  was  a  day  assigned  betwixt  King  Arthur 
and  Sir  Mordred,  that  they  should  meet  upon  a  down  beside 
Salisbury,  and  not  far  from  the  seaside  ;  and  this  day  was 
assigned  on  a  Monday  after  Trinity  Sunday,  whereof  King 
Arthur  was  passing  glad,  that  he  might  be  avenged  upon  Sir 
Mordred. 

So  upon  Trinity  Sunday  at  night,  King  Arthur  dreamed 
that  Sir  Gawaine  had  warned  him  that  if  he  fought  on  the 
morn  he  should  be  slain.  Then  the  king  commanded  Sir 
Lucan  the  Buder,  and  his  brother  Sir  Bedivere,  with  two 
bishops  with  them,  and  charged  them  in  any  wise,  an  they 
might,  Take  a  treaty  for  a  month  day  with  Sir  Mordred, 
and  spare  not,  proffer  him  lands  and  goods  as  much  as  ye 
think  best.  So  then  they  departed,  and  came  to  Sir  Mordred, 
where  he  had  a  grim  host  of  an  hundred  thousand  men. 
And  there  they  entreated  Sir  Mordred  long  time  ;  and  at 
the  last  Sir  Mordred  was  agreed  for  to  have  Cornwall  and 
Kent,  by  Arthur's  days :  after,  all  England,  after  the  days 
of  King  Arthur. 

Then  were  they  condescended  that  King  Arthur  and  Sir 
Mordred  should  meet  betwixt  both  their  hosts,  and  everych 
of  them  should  bring  fourteen  persons  ;    and   they  came 


HOW  THE  BATTLE  BEGAN  485 

with  this  word  unto  Arthur.  Then  said  he  :  I  am  glad 
that  this  is  done  :  and  so  he  went  into  the  field.  And  when 
Arthur  should  depart,  he  warned  all  his  host  that  an  they 
see  any  sword  drawn  :  Look  ye  come  on  fiercely,  and  slay 
that  traitor,  Sir  Mordred,  for  I  in  no  wise  trust  him.  In 
like  wise  Sir  Mordred  warned  his  host.  And  so  they  met 
as  their  appointment  was,  and  so  they  were  agreed  and 
accorded  thoroughly  ;  and  wine  was  fetched,  and  they 
drank.  Right  soon  came  an  adder  out  of  a  litde  heath  bush, 
and  it  stung  a  knight  on  the  foot.  And  when  the  knight 
felt  him  stung,  he  looked  down  and  saw  the  adder,  and  then 
he  drew  his  sword  to  slay  the  adder,  and  thought  of  none 
other  harm.  And  when  the  host  on  both  parties  saw  that 
sword  drawn,  then  they  blew  beams,  trumpets,  and  horns, 
and  shouted  grimly.  And  so  both  hosts  dressed  them 
together.  And  thus  they  fought  all  the  long  day,  and  never 
stinted  till  the  noble  knights  were  laid  to  the  cold  earth  ; 
and  ever  they  fought  still  till  it  was  near  night,  and  by  that 
time  was  there  an  hundred  thousand  laid  dead  upon  the 
down.  Then  was  Arthur  wood  wroth  out  of  measure,  when 
he  saw  his  people  so  slain  from  him. 

Then  the  king  looked  about  him,  and  then  was  he  ware, 
of  all  his  host  and  of  all  his  good  knights,  were  left  no  more 
alive  but  two  knights  ;  that  was  Sir  Lucan  the  Butler,  and 
his  brother  Sir  Bedivere,  and  they  were  full  sore  wounded. 
Jesu  mercy,  said  the  king,  where  are  all  my  noble  knights 
become  ?  Then  was  King  Arthur  ware  where  Sir  Mordred 
leaned  upon  his  sword  among  a  great  heap  of  dead  men. 
Now  give  me  my  spear,  said  Arthur  unto  Sir  Lucan,  for 
yonder  I  have  espied  the  traitor  that  all  this  woe  hath  wrought. 
Sir,  let  him  be,  said  Sir  Lucan,  for  he  is  unhappy  ;  and  if 
ye  pass  this  unhappy  day,  ye  shall  be  right  well  revenged 


486  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

upon  him.  Good  lord,  remember  ye  of  your  night's  dream, 
and  what  the  spirit  of  Sir  Gawaine  told  you  this  night ;  yet 
God  of  his  great  goodness  hath  preserved  you  hitherto. 
Therefore,  for  God's  sake,  my  lord,  leave  off  by  this,  for 
blessed  be  God  ye  have  won  the  field,  for  here  we  be  three 
alive,  and  with  Sir  Mordred  is  none  alive  ;  and  if  ye  leave 
ofF  now  this  wicked  day  of  destiny  is  past.  Tide  me  death, 
betide  me  life,  saith  the  king,  now  I  see  him  yonder  alone 
he  shall  never  escape  mine  hands,  for  at  a  better  avail  shall 
I  never  have  him.     God  speed  you  well,  said  Sir  Bedivere. 

Then  the  king  gat  his  spear  in  both  his  hands,  and  ran 
toward  Sir  Mordred,  crying  :  Traitor,  now  is  thy  death- 
day  come.  And  when  Sir  Mordred  heard  Sir  Arthur,  he 
ran  until  him  with  his  sword  drawn  in  his  hand.  And  there 
King  Arthur  smote  Sir  Mordred  under  the  shield,  with  a 
foin  of  his  spear,  throughout  the  body,  more  than  a  fathom. 
And  when  Sir  Mordred  felt  that  he  had  his  death  wound  he 
thrust  himself  with  the  might  that  he  had  up  to  the  bur  of 
King  Arthur's  spear.  And  right  so  he  smote  his  father 
Arthur,  with  his  sword  holden  in  both  his  hands,  on  the  side 
of  the  head,  that  the  sword  pierced  the  helmet  and  the  brain- 
pan, and  therewithal  Sir  Mordred  fell  stark  dead  to  the 
earth  ;  and  the  noble  Arthur  fell  in  a  swoon  to  the  earth, 
and  there  he  swooned  ofttimes.  And  Sir  Lucan  the  Buder 
and  Sir  Bedivere  ofttimes  heaved  him  up.  And  so  weakly 
they  led  him  betwixt  them  both,  to  a  litde  chapel  not  far 
from  the  seaside.  And  when  the  king  was  there  he  thought 
him  well  eased. 

Then  Sir  Lucan  saw  by  the  moonlight,  how  that  pillers  and 
robbers  were  come  into  the  field,  and  who  that  were  not 
dead  all  out,  there  they  slew  them  for  their  harness  and  their 
riches.     When  Sir  Lucan  understood   this  work,  he  came 


How  Mordred  was  slain  by  Arthur,  and  how  by  him  Arthur  was  hurt 


to  the  death. 


To  face  page  4.86. 


OF  KING  ARTHUR'S  SWORD  EXCALIBUR   487 

to  the  king  as  soon  as  he  might,  and  told  him  all  what  he  had 
heard  and  seen.  Therefore  by  my  rede,  said  Sir  Lucan,  it 
is  best  that  we  bring  you  to  some  town.  I  would  it  were 
so,  said  the  king.  But  I  may  not  stand,  mine  head  works 
so.  Ah  Sir  Launcelot,  said  King  Arthur,  this  day  have  I 
sore  missed  thee  :  alas,  that  ever  I  was  against  thee,  for  now 
have  I  my  death,  whereof  Sir  Gawaine  me  warned  in  my 
dream. 

HOW  KING  ARTHUR  COMMANDED  TO 
CAST  HIS  SWORD  EXCALIBUR  INTO  THE 
WATER,  AND  HOW  HE  WAS  DELIVERED 
TO  LADIES  IN  A  BARGE,  AND  AS  TO  THE 
DEATH  OF  KING  ARTHUR,  AND  HOW  QUEEN 
GUENEVER  MADE  HER  A  NUN.  Then  Sir  Lucan 
took  up  the  king  the  one  part,  and  Sir  Bedivere  the  other 
part,  and  in  the  lifting  Sir  Lucan  fell  in  a  swoon,  and  therewith 
the  noble  knight's  heart  brast.  Alas,  said  the  king,  this  is  to 
me  a  full  heavy  sight,  to  see  this  noble  duke  so  die  for  my 
sake,  for  he  would  have  holpen  me,  that  had  more  need  of 
help  than  I.  Alas,  he  would  not  complain  him,  his  heart  was 
so  set  to  help  me  :  now  Jesu  have  mercy  upon  his  soul  ! 
Then  Sir  Bedivere  wept  for  the  death  of  his  brother.  Leave 
this  mourning  and  weeping,  said  the  king,  for  all  this  will  not 
avail  me  ;  for  wit  thou  well  an  I  might  live  myself,  the  death 
of  Sir  Lucan  would  grieve  me  evermore  ;  but  my  time  hieth 
fast,  said  the  king.  Therefore,  said  Arthur  unto  Sir  Bedivere, 
take  thou  Excalibur,  my  good  sword,  and  go  with  it  to  yonder 
water  side,  and  when  thou  comest  there  I  charge  thee  throw 
my  sword  in  that  water,  and  come  again  and  tell  me  what 
thou  there  seest. 

So  Sir  Bedivere  departed,  and  by  the  way  he  beheld 


488  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

that  noble  sword,  that  the  pommel  and  the  haft  was  all  of 
precious  stones  ;  and  then  he  said  to  himself :  If  I  throw  this 
rich  sword  in  the  water,  thereof  shall  never  come  good,  but 
harm  and  loss.  And  then  Sir  Bedivere  hid  Excalibur  under 
a  tree.  And  so,  as  soon  as  he  might,  he  came  again  unto 
the  king,  and  said  he  had  been  at  the  water,  and  had  thrown 
the  sword  in  the  water.  What  saw  thou  there  ?  said  the 
king.  Sir,  he  said,  I  saw  nothing  but  waves  and  winds. 
That  is  untruly  said  of  thee,  said  the  king,  therefore  go  thou 
lightly  again,  and  do  my  commandment ;  as  thou  art  to 
me  lief  and  dear,  spare  not,  but  throw  it  in.  Then  Sir 
Bedivere  returned  again,  and  took  the  sword  in  his  hand  ; 
and  then  him  thought  sin  and  shame  to  throw  away  that 
noble  sword,  and  so  eft  he  hid  the  sword,  and  returned  again, 
and  told  to  the  king  that  he  had  been  at  the  water,  and  done 
his  commandment.  What  saw  thou  there  ?  said  the  king. 
Sir,  he  said,  I  saw  nothing  but  the  waters  wap  and  waves 
wan.  Ah,  traitor  untrue,  said  King  Arthur,  now  hast  thou 
betrayed  me  twice.  Who  would  have  weened  that  thou, 
that  hast  been  to  me  so  lief  and  dear,  and  thou  art  named 
a  noble  knight,  would  betray  me  for  the  richness  of  the 
sword  ?  But  now  go  again  lightly,  for  thy  long  tarrying 
putteth  me  in  great  jeopardy  of  my  life,  for  I  have  taken 
cold.  And  but  if  thou  do  now  as  I  bid  thee,  if  ever  I  may 
see  thee,  I  shall  slay  thee  with  mine  own  hands  ;  for  thou 
wouldst  for  my  rich  sword  see  me  dead. 

Then  Sir  Bedivere  departed,  and  went  to  the  sword,  and 
lightly  took  it  up,  and  went  to  the  water  side  ;  and  there 
he  bound  the  girdle  about  the  hilts,  and  then  he  threw  the 
sword  as  far  into  the  water  as  he  might ;  and  there  came  an 
arm  and  an  hand  above  the  water  and  met  it,  and  caught  it, 
and  so  shook  it  thrice  and  brandished,  and  then  vanished 


OF  THE  DEATH  OF  KING  ARTHUR     489 

away  the  hand  with  the  sword  in  the  water.  So  Sir  Bedivere 
came  again  to  the  king,  and  told  him  what  he  saw.  Alas, 
said  the  king,  help  me  hence,  for  I  dread  me  I  have  tarried 
over  long.  Then  Sir  Bedivere  took  the  king  upon  his  back, 
and  so  went  with  him  to  that  water  side.  And  when  they 
were  at  the  water  side,  even  fast  by  the  bank  hoved  a  litde 
barge  with  many  fair  ladies  in  it,  and  among  them  all  was 
a  queen,  and  all  they  had  black  hoods,  and  all  they  wept 
and  shrieked  when  they  saw  King  Arthur.  Now  put  me 
into  the  barge,  said  the  king.  And  so  he  did  sofdy  ;  and 
there  received  him  three  queens  with  great  mourning  ;  and 
so  they  set  them  down,  and  in  one  of  their  laps  King  Arthur 
laid  his  head.  And  then  that  queen  said  :  Ah,  dear  brother, 
why  have  ye  tarried  so  long  from  me  ?  alas,  this  wound  on 
your  head  hath  caught  over-much  cold.  And  so  then  they 
rowed  from  the  land,  and  Sir  Bedivere  beheld  all  those 
ladies  go  from  him.  Then  Sir  Bedivere  cried  :  Ah  my 
lord  Arthur,  what  shall  become  of  me,  now  ye  go  from  me 
and  leave  me  here  alone  among  mine  enemies  ?  Comfort 
thyself,  said  the  king,  and  do  as  well  as  thou  mayst,  for  in 
me  is  no  trust  for  to  trust  in  ;  for  I  will  into  the  vale  of 
Avilion  to  heal  me  of  my  grievous  wound  :  and  if  thou 
hear  never  more  of  me,  pray  for  my  soul.  But  ever  the 
queens  and  ladies  wept  and  shrieked,  that  it  was  pity  to  hear. 
And  as  soon  as  Sir  Bedivere  had  lost  the  sight  of  the  barge, 
he  wept  and  wailed,  and  so  took  the  forest  5  and  so  he  went 
all  that  night,  and  in  the  morning  he  was  ware  betwixt  two 
holts  hoar,  of  a  chapel  and  an  hermitage. 

Then  was  Sir  Bedivere  glad,  and  thither  he  went  ;  and 
when  he  came  into  the  chapel,  he  saw  where  lay  an  hermit 
grovelling  on  all  four,  there  fast  by  a  tomb  was  new  graven. 
When  the  hermit  saw  Sir  Bedivere  he  knew  him  well,  for 


49o  OF  KING  ARTHUR 

he  was  but  little  to-fore  Bishop  of  Canterbury,  that  Sir 
Mordred  banished.  Sir,  said  Bedivere,  what  man  is  there 
interred  that  ye  pray  so  fast  for  ?  Fair  son,  said  the  hermit, 
I  wot  not  verily,  but  by  deeming.  But  this  night,  at  mid- 
night, here  came  a  number  of  ladies,  and  brought  hither  a 
dead  corpse,  and  prayed  me  to  bury  him  ;  and  here  they 
offered  an  hundred  tapers,  and  they  gave  me  an  hundred 
besants.  Alas,  said  Sir  Bedivere,  that  was  my  lord  King 
Arthur,  that  here  lieth  buried  in  this  chapel.  Then  Sir 
Bedivere  swooned  ;  and  when  he  awoke  he  prayed  the 
hermit  he  might  abide  with  him  still  there,  to  live  with 
fasting  and  prayers.  For  from  hence  will  I  never  go,  said 
Sir  Bedivere,  by  my  will,  but  all  the  days  of  my  life  here 
to  pray  for  my  lord  Arthur.  So  there  bode  Sir  Bedivere 
with  the  hermit  that  was  to-fore  Bishop  of  Canterbury,  and 
there  Sir  Bedivere  put  upon  him  poor  clothesj  and  served 
the  hermit  full  lowly  in  fasting  and  in  prayers. 

Thus  of  Arthur  I  find  never  more  written  in  books  that 
be  authorised,  nor  more  of  the  very  certainty  of  his  death 
heard  I  never  read,  but  thus  was  he  led  away  in  a  ship  wherein 
were  three  queens  ;  that  one  was  King  Arthur's  sister, 
Queen  Morgan  le  Fay  ;  the  other  was  the  Queen  of  North- 
galis  ;  the  third  was  the  Queen  of  the  Waste  Lands.  Also 
there  was  Nimue,  the  chief  lady  of  the  lake,  that  had  done 
much  for  King  Arthur.  More  of  the  death  of  King  Arthur 
could  I  never  find,  but  that  ladies  brought  him  to  his  burials  ; 
and  such  one  was  buried  there,  that  the  hermit  bare  witness 
that  sometime  was  Bishop  of  Canterbury,  but  yet  the  hermit 
knew  not  in  certain  that  he  was  verily  the  body  of  King 
Arthur  :  for  this  tale  Sir  Bedivere,  knight  of  the  Table 
Round,  made  it  to  be  written. 

Yet  some  men  say  in  many  parts  of  England  that  King 


HOW  QUEEN  GUENEVER  BECAME  A  NUN  491 

Arthur  is  not  dead,  but  had  by  the  will  of  our  Lord  Jesu 
into  another  place  ;  and  men  say  that  he  shall  come  again, 
and  he  shall  win  the  holy  cross.  I  will  not  say  it  shall  be 
so,  but  rather  I  will  say  :  here  in  this  world  he  changed 
his  life.     But  many  men  say  that  there  is  written  upon  his 

tomb  this  verse  :  I£>ic  meet  artburus,  Eter  quonDam,  Eerque 

fUtlltUS.  Thus  leave  I  here  Sir  Bedivere  with  the 
hermit,  that  dwelled  that  time  in  a  chapel  beside  Glaston- 
bury, and  there  was  his  hermitage.  And  so  they  lived  in 
their  prayers,  and  fastings,  and  great  abstinence.  And  when 
Queen  Guenever  understood  that  King  Arthur  was  slain, 
and  all  the  noble  knights,  Sir  Mordred  and  all  the  remnant, 
then  the  queen  stole  away,  and  five  ladies  with  her,  and  so 
she  went  to  Almesbury  ;  and  there  she  let  make  herself  a 
nun,  and  ware  white  clothes  and  black,  and  great  penance 
she  took,  as  ever  did  sinful  lady  in  this  land,  and  never 
creature  could  make  her  merry  ;  but  lived  in  fasting,  prayers, 
and  alms-deeds,  that  all  manner  of  people  marvelled  how 
virtuously  she  was  changed. 

HOW  WHEN  SIR  LAUNCELOT  HEARD 
OF  THE  DEATH  OF  KING  ARTHUR, 
HE  CAME  TO  ENGLAND,  AND  FOUND 
QUEEN  GUENEVER  AT  ALMESBURY, 
AND  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  TOOK 
THE  HABIT  ON  HIM  AS  A  HERMIT.  Now  leave 
we  Queen  Guenever  in  Almesbury,  a  nun  in  white  clothes 
and  black,  and  there  she  was  Abbess  and  ruler  as  reason 
would  ;  and  turn  we  from  her,  and  speak  we  of  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake,  that  when  he  heard  in  his  country 
that  Sir  Mordred  was  crowned  king  in  England,  and  made 
war  against  King  Arthur,  his  own  father,  and  would  let  him 


492   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

to  land  in  his  own  land  ;  also  how  that  Sir  Mordred  had 
laid  siege  about  the  Tower  of  London,  because  the  queen 
would  not  wed  him  ;  then  was  he  wroth  out  of  measure, 
and  said  to  his  kinsmen  :  Alas,  that  double  traitor  Sir 
Mordred,  now  me  repenteth  that  ever  he  escaped  my  hands, 
for  much  shame  hath  he  done  unto  my  lord  Arthur.  Alas, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  that  ever  I  should  live  to  hear  that  most 
noble  king  that  made  me  knight  thus  to  be  overset  with  his 
subject  in  his  own  realm. 

Then  they  made  them  ready  in  all  the  haste  that  might 
be,  with  ships  and  galleys,  for  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  host  to 
pass  into  England.  And  so  he  passed  over  the  sea  till  he 
came  to  Dover,  and  there  he  landed  with  seven  kings,  and 
the  number  was  hideous  to  behold.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
enquired  of  men  of  Dover  where  was  King  Arthur  become. 
Then  the  people  told  him  how  that  he  was  slain,  and  Sir 
Mordred  and  an  hundred  thousand  died  on  a  day  ;  and  how 
Sir  Mordred  gave  King  Arthur  there  the  first  battle  at  his 
landing,  and  there  was  good  Sir  Gawaine  slain  ;  and  on  the 
morn  Sir  Mordred  fought  with  the  king  upon  Barham 
Down,  and  there  the  king  put  Sir  Mordred  to  the  worse. 
Alas,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  is  the  heaviest  tidings  that  ever 
came  to  me.  Now,  fair  sirs,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  shew  me 
the  tomb  of  Sir  Gawaine.  And  then  certain  people  of  the 
town  brought  him  into  the  castle  of  Dover,  and  shewed 
him  the  tomb.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  kneeled  down  and 
wept,  and  prayed  heartily  for  his  soul.  And  that  night  he 
made  a  dole,  and  all  they  that  would  come  had  as  much 
flesh,  fish,  wine  and  ale,  and  every  man  and  woman  had 
twelve  pence,  come  who  would.  Thus  with  his  own  hand 
dealt  he  this  money,  in  a  mourning  gown  ;  and  ever  he 
wept,  and  prayed  them  to  pray  for  the  soul  of  Sir  Gawaine. 


OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT'S  RETURN         493 

And  on  the  morn  all  the  priests  and  clerks  that  might  be 
gotten  in  the  country  were  there,  and  sang  mass  of  Requiem  ; 
and  there  offered  first  Sir  Launcelot,  and  he  offered  an 
hundred  pound  ;  and  then  the  seven  kings  offered  forty 
pound  apiece  ;  and  also  there  was  a  thousand  knights,  and 
each  of  them  offered  a  pound  ;  and  the  offering  dured  from 
morn  till  night,  and  Sir  Launcelot  lay  two  nights  on  his 
tomb  in  prayers  and  weeping. 

Then  on  the  third  day  Sir  Launcelot  called  the  kings, 
dukes,  earls,  barons,  and  knights,  and  said  thus  :  My  fair 
lords,  I  thank  you  all  of  your  coming  into  this  country  with 
me,  but  we  came  too  late,  and  that  shall  repent  me  while  I 
live,  but  against  death  may  no  man  rebel.  But  sithen  it  is 
so,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I  will  myself  ride  and  seek  my  lady, 
Queen  Guenever,  for  as  I  hear  say  she  hath  had  great  pain 
and  much  disease  ;  and  I  heard  say  that  she  is  fled  into  the 
west.  Therefore  ye  all  shall  abide  me  here,  and  but  if  I 
come  again  within  fifteen  days,  then  take  your  ships  and 
your  fellowship,  and  depart  into  your  country,  for  I  will  do 
as  I  say  to  you. 

So  he  departed  and  rode  westerly,  and  there  he  sought 
a  seven  or  eight  days  ;  and  at  the  last  he  came  to  a  nunnery, 
and  then  was  Queen  Guenever  ware  of  Sir  Launcelot  as  he 
walked  in  the  cloister.  And  when  she  saw  him  there  she 
swooned  thrice,  that  all  the  ladies  and  gendewomen  had 
work  enough  to  hold  the  queen  up.  So  when  she  might 
speak,  she  called  ladies  and  gendewomen  to  her,  and  said  : 
Ye  marvel,  fair  ladies,  why  I  make  this  fare.  Truly,  she 
said,  it  is  for  the  sight  of  yonder  knight  that  yonder  standeth  ; 
wherefore  I  pray  you  all  call  him  to  me. 

When  Sir  Launcelot  was  brought  to  her,  then  she  said 
to  all  the  ladies  :    Through  this  man  and  me  hath  all  this 


494   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

war  been  wrought,  and  the  death  of  the  most  noblest  knights 
of  the  world  ;  for  through  our  love  that  we  have  loved 
together  is  my  most  noble  lord  slain.  Therefore,  Sir  Launce- 
lot,  wit  thou  well  I  am  set  in  such  a  plight  to  get  my 
soul-heal  ;  and  yet  I  trust  through  God's  grace  after  my 
death  to  have  a  sight  of  the  blessed  face  of  Christ,  and  at 
domesday  to  sit  on  his  right  side,  for  as  sinful  as  ever  I  was 
are  saints  in  heaven.  Therefore,  Sir  Launcelot,  I  require 
thee  and  beseech  thee  heartily,  for  all  the  love  that  ever  was 
betwixt  us,  that  thou  never  see  me  more  in  the  visage  ;  for 
as  well  as  I  have  loved  thee,  mine  heart  will  not  serve  me 
to  see  thee,  for  through  thee  and  me  is  the  flower  of  kings 
and  knights  destroyed  ;  therefore,  Sir  Launcelot,  go  to  thy 
realm,  and  there  take  thee  a  wife,  and  live  with  her  with 
joy  and  bliss  ;  and  I  pray  thee  heartily,  pray  for  me  to  our 
Lord  that  I  may  amend  my  misliving.  Now,  sweet  madam, 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  would  ye  that  I  should  now  return  again 
unto  my  country,  and  there  to  wed  a  lady  ?  Nay,  madam, 
wit  you  well  that  shall  I  never  do,  for  I  shall  never  be  so 
false  to  you  of  that  I  have  promised  ;  but  the  same  destiny 
that  ye  have  taken  you  to,  I  will  take  me  unto,  for  to  please 
Jesu,  and  ever  for  you  I  cast  me  specially  to  pray.  For 
sithen  ye  have  taken  you  to  perfection,  I  must  needs  take 
me  to  perfection,  of  right.  For  I  take  record  of  God,  in 
you  I  have  had  mine  earthly  joy  ;  and  if  I  had  found  you 
now  so  disposed,  I  had  cast  me  to  have  had  you  into  mine 
own  realm. 

But  sithen  I  find  you  thus  disposed,  I  ensure  you  faith- 
fully, I  will  ever  take  me  to  penance,  and  pray  while  my  life 
lasteth,  if  I  may  find  any  hermit,  either  gray  or  white,  that 
will  receive  me.  Wherefore,  madam,  I  pray  you  kiss  me 
and  never  no  more.     Nay,  said  the  queen,  that  shall  I  never 


SIR  LAUNCELOT  AT  THE  HERMITAGE  495 

do,  but  abstain  you  from  such  works.  And  they  departed. 
But  there  was  never  so  hard  an  hearted  man  but  he  would 
have  wept  to  see  the  dolour  that  they  made  ;  for  there  was 
lamentation  as  they  had  been  stung  with  spears  ;  and  many 
times  they  swooned,  and  the  ladies  bare  the  queen  to  her 
chamber. 

And  Sir  Launcelot  awoke,  and  went  and  took  his  horse, 
and  rode  all  that  day  and  all  night  in  a  forest,  weeping. 
And  at  the  last  he  was  ware  of  an  hermitage  and  a  chapel 
stood  betwixt  two  cliffs  ;  and  then  he  heard  a  little  bell 
ring  to  mass,  and  thither  he  rode  and  alighted,  and  tied  his 
horse  to  the  gate,  and  heard  mass.  And  he  that  sang  mass 
was  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury.  Both  the  Bishop  and  Sir 
Bedivere  knew  Sir  Launcelot,  and  they  spake  together  after 
mass.  But  when  Sir  Bedivere  had  told  his  tale  all  whole, 
Sir  Launcelot's  heart  almost  brast  for  sorrow,  and  Sir 
Launcelot  threw  his  arms  abroad,  and  said  :  Alas,  who  may 
trust  this  world  !  And  then  he  kneeled  down  on  his  knee, 
and  prayed  the  Bishop  to  shrive  him  and  assoil  him.  And 
then  he  besought  the  Bishop  that  he  might  be  his  brother. 
Then  the  Bishop  said  :  I  will  gladly  ;  and  there  he  put  an 
habit  upon  Sir  Launcelot,  and  there  he  served  God  day  and 
night  with  prayers  and  fastings. 

Thus  the  great  host  abode  at  Dover.  And  then  Sir 
Lionel  took  fifteen  lords  with  him,  and  rode  to  London  to 
seek  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  there  Sir  Lionel  was  slain  and 
many  of  his  lords.  Then  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis  made  the  great 
host  for  to  go  home  again  ;  and  Sir  Bors,  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris,  Sir  Blamore,  Sir  Bleoberis,  with  more  other  of  Sir 
Launcelot's  kin,  took  on  them  to  ride  all  England  over- 
thwart  and  endlong,  to  seek  Sir  Launcelot.  So  Sir  Bors  by 
fortune  rode  so  long  till  he  came  to  the  same  chapel  where 


496   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

Sir  Launcelot  was  ;  and  so  Sir  Bors  heard  a  little  bell  knell, 
that  rang  to  mass  ;  and  there  he  alighted  and  heard  mass. 
And  when  mass  was  done,  the  Bishop,  Sir  Launcelot,  and 
Sir  Bedivere,  came  to  Sir  Bors.  And  when  Sir  Bors  saw 
Sir  Launcelot  in  that  manner  clothing,  then  he  prayed  the 
Bishop  that  he  might  be  in  the  same  suit.  And  so  there  was 
an  habit  put  upon  him,  and  there  he  lived  in  prayers  and 
fasting.  And  within  half  a  year,  there  was  come  Sir  Galihud, 
Sir  Galihodin,  Sir  Blamore,  Sir  Bleoberis,  Sir  Villiars,  Sir 
Clarras,  and  Sir  Gahalantine.  So  all  these  seven  noble 
knights  there  abode  still.  And  when  they  saw  Sir  Launcelot 
had  taken  him  to  such  perfection,  they  had  no  lust  to  depart, 
but  took  such  an  habit  as  he  had. 

Thus  they  endured  in  great  penance  six  year  ;  and  then 
Sir  Launcelot  took  the  habit  of  priesthood  of  the  Bishop, 
and  a  twelvemonth  he  sang  mass.  And  there  was  none 
of  these  other  knights  but  they  read  in  books,  and  holp 
for  to  sing  mass,  and  rang  bells,  and  did  bodily  all  manner 
of  service.  And  so  their  horses  went  where  they  would, 
for  they  took  no  regard  of  no  worldly  riches.  For  when 
they  saw  Sir  Launcelot  endure  such  penance,  in  prayers,  and 
fastings,  they  took  no  force  what  pain  they  endured,  for  to 
see  the  noblest  knight  of  the  world  take  such  abstinence  that 
he  waxed  full  lean. 

And  thus  upon  a  night,  there  came  a  vision  to  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  charged  him,  in  remission  of  his  sins,  to 
haste  him  unto  Almesbury :  And  by  then  thou  come  there, 
thou  shalt  find  Queen  Guenever  dead.  And  therefore  take 
thy  fellows  with  thee,  and  purvey  them  of  an  horse  bier, 
and  fetch  thou  the  corpse  of  her,  and  bury  her  by  her 
husband,  the  noble  King  Arthur.  So  this  avision  came  to 
Sir  Launcelot  thrice  in  one  night. 


OF  THE  DEATH  OF  QUEEN  GUENEVER  497 

HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  WENT  WITH  HIS 
EIGHT  FELLOWS  TO  ALMESBURY,  AND 
FOUND  THERE  QUEEN  GUENEVER  DEAD, 
WHOM  THEY  BROUGHT  TO  GLASTONBURY, 
AND  HOW  SIR  LAUNCELOT  SICKENED  AND 
DIED,  AND  WAS  BORNE  TO  JOYOUS  GARD 
FOR  TO  BE  BURIED,  AND  HOW  CONSTANTINE 
REIGNED  NEXT  AFTER  ARTHUR,  AND  OF 
THE  END  OF  THIS  BOOK.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  rose 
up  or  day,  and  told  the  hermit.  It  were  well  done,  said 
the  hermit,  that  ye  made  you  ready,  and  that  you  dis- 
obey not  the  avision.  Then  Sir  Launcelot  took  his  eight 
fellows  with  him,  and  on  foot  they  yede  from  Glastonbury 
to  Almesbury,  the  which  is  little  more  than  thirty  mile. 
And  thither  they  came  within  two  days,  for  they  were  weak 
and  feeble  to  go.  And  when  Sir  Launcelot  was  come  to 
Almesbury  within  the  nunnery,  Queen  Guenever  died  but 
half  an  hour  afore.  And  the  ladies  told  Sir  Launcelot 
that  Queen  Guenever  told  them  all  or  she  passed,  that  Sir 
Launcelot  had  been  priest  near  a  twelvemonth,  And  hither 
he  cometh  as  fast  as  he  may  to  fetch  my  corpse  ;  and  beside 
my  lord,  King  Arthur,  he  shall  bury  me.  Wherefore,  the 
queen  said  in  hearing  of  them  all,  I  beseech  Almighty  God 
that  I  may  never  have  power  to  see  Sir  Launcelot  with  my 
worldly  eyen  ;  and  thus,  said  all  the  ladies,  was  ever  her 
prayer  these  two  days,  till  she  was  dead.  Then  Sir  Launcelot 
saw  her  visage,  but  he  wept  not  greatly,  but  sighed.  And 
so  he  did  all  the  observance  of  the  service  himself,  both  the 
dirige,  and  on  the  morn  he  sang  mass.  And  there  was 
ordained  an  horse  bier,  with  an  hundred  torches  ever  brenning 
about  the  corpse  of  the  queen,  and  ever  Sir  Launcelot  with 
his  eight  fellows  went  about  the  horse  bier,  singing  and 


498   OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 

reading  many  an  holy  orison,  and  frankincense  upon  the 
corpse  incensed.  Thus  Sir  Launcelot  and  his  eight  fellows 
went  on  foot  from  Almesbury  unto  Glastonbury. 

And  when  they  were  come  to  the  chapel  and  the  hermit- 
age, there  she  had  a  dirige,  with  great  devotion.  And  on 
the  morn  the  hermit  that  sometime  was  Bishop  of  Canterbury 
sang  the  mass  of  Requiem  with  great  devotion.  And  Sir 
Launcelot  was  the  first  that  offered,  and  then  also  his  eight 
fellows.  And  then  she  was  wrapped  in  cered  cloth  of 
Raines,  from  the  top  to  the  toe,  in  thirtyfold  ;  and  after  she 
was  put  in  a  web  of  lead,  and  then  in  a  coffin  of  marble. 
And  when  she  was  put  in  the  earth  Sir  Launcelot  swooned, 
and  lay  long  still,  while  the  hermit  came  and  awaked  him, 
and  said  :  Ye  be  to  blame,  for  ye  displease  God  with  such 
manner  of  sorrow-making.  Truly,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  I 
trust  I  do  not  displease  God,  for  He  knoweth  mine  intent. 
For  my  sorrow  was  not,  nor  is  not,  for  any  rejoicing  of  sin, 
but  my  sorrow  may  never  have  end.  For  when  I  remember 
of  her  beauty,  and  of  her  noblesse,  that  was  both  with  her 
king  and  with  her,  so  when  I  saw  his  corpse  and  her  corpse 
so  lie  together,  truly  mine  heart  would  not  serve  to  sustain 
my  careful  body.  Also  when  I  remember  me  how  by  my 
default,  mine  orgule  and  my  pride,  that  they  were  both  laid 
full  low,  that  were  peerless  that  ever  was  living  of  Christian 
people,  wit  you  well,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  this  remembered, 
of  their  kindness  and  mine  unkindness,  sank  so  to  mine 
heart,  that  I  might  not  sustain  myself.  So  the  French  book 
maketh  mention. 

Then  Sir  Launcelot  never  after  ate  but  little  meat,  ne 
drank,  till  he  was  dead.  For  then  he  sickened  more  and 
more,  and  dried,  and  dwined  away.  For  evermore,  day 
and  night,  he  prayed,  but  sometime  he  slumbered  a  broken 


OF  THE  DEATH  OF  SIR  LAUNCELOT    499 

sleep  ;  ever  he  was  lying  grovelling  on  the  tomb  of  King 
Arthur  and  Queen  Guenever.  So  within  six  weeks  after, 
Sir  Launcelot  fell  sick,  and  lay  in  his  bed  ;  and  then  he  sent 
for  the  Bishop  that  there  was  hermit,  and  all  his  true  fellows. 
Then  Sir  Launcelot  said  with  dreary  voice  :  Sir  Bishop,  I 
pray  you  give  to  me  all  my  rights  that  longeth  to  a  Christian 
man.  It  shall  not  need  you,  said  the  hermit  and  all  his 
fellows,  it  is  but  heaviness  of  your  blood,  ye  shall  be  well 
mended  by  the  grace  of  God  to-morn.  My  fair  lords,  said 
Sir  Launcelot,  wit  you  well  my  careful  body  will  into  the 
earth,  I  have  warning  more  than  now  I  will  say  ;  therefore 
give  me  my  rights.  So  when  he  was  houseled  and  anealed,  and 
had  all  that  a  Christian  man  ought  to  have,  he  prayed  the 
Bishop  that  his  fellows  might  bear  his  body  to  Joyous  Gard. 
Some  men  say  it  was  Alnwick,  and  some  men  say  it  was 
Bamborough.  Howbeit,  said  Sir  Launcelot,  me  repenteth 
sore,  but  I  made  mine  avow  sometime,  that  in  Joyous  Gard 
I  would  be  buried.  And  because  of  breaking  of  mine  avow, 
I  pray  you  all,  lead  me  thither.  Then  there  was  weeping 
and  wringing  of  hands  among  his  fellows. 

So  at  a  season  of  the  night  they  all  went  to  their  beds, 
for  they  all  lay  in  one  chamber.  And  so  after  midnight, 
against  day,  the  Bishop  that  then  was  hermit,  as  he  lay  in 
his  bed  asleep,  he  fell  upon  a  great  laughter.  And  there- 
with all  the  fellowship  awoke,  and  came  to  the  Bishop,  and 
asked  him  what  he  ailed.  Ah  Jesu  mercy,  said  the  Bishop, 
why  did  ye  awake  me  ?  I  was  never  in  all  my  life  so  merry 
and  so  well  at  ease.  Wherefore  ?  said  Sir  Bors.  Truly, 
said  the  Bishop,  here  was  Sir  Launcelot  with  me  with  mo 
angels  than  ever  I  saw  men  in  one  day.  And  I  saw  the 
angels  heave  up  Sir  Launcelot  unto  heaven,  and  the  gates 
of  heaven   opened    against   him.     It   is   but   dretching   of 

2L 


500 


OF  LAUNCELOT  AND  GUENEVER 


dreams,  said  Sir  Bors,  for  I  doubt  not  Sir  Launcelot  aileth 
nothing  but  good.  It  may  well  be,  said  the  Bishop  ;  go 
ye  to  his  bed,  and  then  shall  ye  prove  the  sooth.  So  when 
Sir  Bors  and  his  fellows  came  to  his  bed  they  found  him 
stark  dead,  and  he  lay  as  he  had  smiled,  and  the  sweetest 
savour  about  him  that  ever  they  felt. 

Then  was  there  weeping  and  wringing  of  hands,  and 
the  greatest  dole  they  made  that  ever  made  men.  And  on 
the  morn  the  Bishop  did  his  mass  of  Requiem  ;  and  after, 
the  Bishop  and  all  the  nine  knights  put  Sir  Launcelot  in  the 
same  horse  bier  that  Queen  Guenever  was  laid  in  to-fore 
that  she  was  buried.  And  so  the  Bishop  and  they  all  together 
went  with  the  body  of  Sir  Launcelot  daily,  till  they  came 
to  Joyous  Gard  ;  and  ever  they  had  an  hundred  torches 
brenning  about  him.  And  so  within  fifteen  days  they  came 
to  Joyous  Gard.  And  there  they  laid  his  corpse  in  the  body 
of  the  quire,  and  sang  and  read  many  psalters  and  prayers 
over  him  and  about  him.  And  ever  his  visage  was  laid  open 
and  naked,  that  all  folks  might  behold  him.  For  such  was 
the  custom  in  those  days,  that  all  men  of  worship  should  so 
lie  with  open  visage  till  that  they  were  buried.  And  right 
thus  as  they  were  at  their  service,  there  came  Sir  Ector  de 
Maris,  that  had  seven  years  sought  all  England,  Scotland, 
and  Wales,  seeking  his  brother,  Sir  Launcelot. 

And  when  Sir  Ector  heard  such  noise  and  light  in  the 
quire  of  Joyous  Gard,  he  alighted  and  put  his  horse  from 
him,  and  came  into  the  quire,  and  there  he  saw  men  sing 
and  weep.  And  all  they  knew  Sir  Ector,  but  he  knew  not 
them.  Then  went  Sir  Bors  unto  Sir  Ector,  and  told  him 
how  there  lay  his  brother,  Sir  Launcelot,  dead  ;  and  then 
Sir  Ector  threw  his  shield,  sword,  and  helm  from  him.  And 
when  he  beheld  Sir  Launcelot's  visage,  he  fell  down  in  a 


SIR  CONSTANTINE  CHOSEN  KING       501 

swoon.  And  when  he  waked  it  were  hard  any  tongue  to 
tell  the  doleful  complaints  that  he  made  for  his  brother. 
Ah  Launcelot,  he  said,  thou  were  head  of  all  Christian 
knights,  and  now  I  dare  say,  said  Sir  Ector,  thou  Sir  Launce- 
lot, there  thou  liest,  that  thou  were  never  matched  of  earthly 
knight's  hand.  And  thou  were  the  courteoust  knight  that 
ever  bare  shield.  And  thou  were  the  truest  friend  to  thy 
lover  that  ever  bestrad  horse.  And  thou  were  the  truest 
lover  of  a  sinful  man  that  ever  loved  woman.  And  thou 
were  the  kindest  man  that  ever  struck  with  sword.  And 
thou  were  the  goodliest  person  that  ever  came  among  press 
of  knights.  And  thou  was  the  meekest  man  and  the  gentlest 
that  ever  ate  in  hall  among  ladies.  And  thou  were  the 
sternest  knight  to  thy  mortal  foe  that  ever  put  spear  in  the 
rest.     Then  there  was  weeping  and  dolour  out  of  measure. 

Thus  they  kept  Sir  Launcelot's  corpse  aloft  fifteen  days, 
and  then  they  buried  it  with  great  devotion.  And  then  at 
leisure  they  went  all  with  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury  to  his 
hermitage,  and  there  they  were  together  more  than  a  month. 
Then  Sir  Constantine,  that  was  Sir  Cador's  son  of  Cornwall, 
was  chosen  king  of  England.  And  he  was  a  full  noble 
knight,  and  worshipfully  he  ruled  this  realm.  And  then 
this  King  Constantine  sent  for  the  Bishop  of  Canterbury, 
for  he  heard  say  where  he  was.  And  so  he  was  restored 
unto  his  Bishopric,  and  left  that  hermitage.  And  Sir 
Bedivere  was  there  ever  still  hermit  to  his  life's  end,  but  Sir 
Bors,  Sir  Ector,  Sir  Blamore,  and  Sir  Bleoberis,  went  into 
the  Holy  Land  thereas  Jesu  Christ  was  quick  and  dead. 
For  the  book  saith,  so  Sir  Launcelot  commanded  them  for 
to  do,  or  ever  he  passed  out  of  this  world.  And  these  four 
knights  did  many  battles  upon  the  miscreants  or  Turks. 
And  there  they  died  upon  a  Good  Friday  for  God's  sake. 

2L2 


!§ere  te  tlje  enb  of  tlje  book  of  Htng  &rtf)ur,  ana  of  6J0  noble 

fentgtjtiS  of  tlje  l&ounb  liable,  tljat  toljen  tfjej?  toere  to&ole 

togettjer  tljere  toag  eber  an  fjunbreb  ano  fiftp*   flnb 

fjere  te  tlje  enb  of  tije  beatb.  of  jartljur.   31  prap  pou 

all,  gentlemen  ano  gentletoomen  tljat  reabetlj  t|jtjs 

book  of  jartbur  ano  fjte  fenigljtis,  ftom  tfje  begtn-- 

ntng  to  tlje  enbing,  prap  for  me  toljflr  3  am 

alibe,  tljat  (Poo  0eno  me  gooti  belfberance, 

anb  toljen  31  am  oeao,  31  pea?  pou  all 

pray  for  mp  goul.    JFor  tbjis  boofe  teas 

enoeo  tlje  nintlj  pear  of  tlje  reign 

of  Iting  (Ebtoarb  tlje  JFourtb,  bp 

»>tt  tlTljomag  StfJalrore,  Itntgljt, 

ajs  3e0u  Ijelp   Ijtm   for   bfg 

great  migljt,  agf  be  te  tfte 

sferbant  of  3l*0u  botlj  bap 

anb  nigfjt,. 


GLOSSARY 


GLOSSARY 


Abate,  depress,  calm* 

Abought,  paid  for. 

Accompt,  account. 

Accorded,  agreed. 

Ado,  business. 

Adoubted,  afraid. 

Again,  against,  in  the  presence  of. 

Again  say,  retract. 

Aligement,  alleviation. 

Allegeance,  alleviation. 

Allow,  approve. 

Almeries,  chests. 

Alther,  gen.  pi.,  of  all. 

Amounted,  mounted. 

An,  if. 

An-angered,  made  the  object  of  anger. 

Anealed,  anointed. 

Apair,  weaken. 

Appeach,  impeach. 

Appealed,  challenged,  accused. 

Araged,  enraged,  confused. 

Araised,  raised. 

Arase,  obliterate. 

Areared,  reared. 

Array,  plight,  state  of  affairs. 

Arson,  saddle-bow. 

Ass  oil,  absolve. 

Assotted,  infatuated. 

At,  of,  by. 

At-aftcr,  after. 

Aumbries,  chests. 

Avail  (at),  at  an  advantage. 

Avision,  vision. 

Avoid,  quit,  get  clear  of. 

Avow,  vow. 

Await,  watch  for. 

Bachelors,  probationers  for  knighthood. 
Barbican,  gate-tower. 
Battle,  division  of  an  army. 


Bawdy,  dirty. 

Beale,  beautiful. 

Beams,  trumpets. 

Be-closed,  enclosed. 

Become,  pp.,  befallen,  gone  to. 

Bedashed,  splashed. 

Behests,  promises. 

Benight,  promised. 

Beholden  (beholding)  to,  obliged  to. 

Behote,  promised. 

Beseen,  appointed,  arrayed. 

Bestead,  beset,  placed. 

Betake,  entrust. 

Betaught,  entrusted,  recommended. 

Betid,  happened. 

Betook,  committed,  entrusted. 

Blank,  white. 

Bobaunce,  boasting,  pride. 

Borrows,  pledges. 

Bote,  remedy. 

Bound,  ready. 

Bourder,  jester. 

Braced,  embraced, 

Brachet,  little  hound. 

Braid,  quick  movement. 

Brake,  communicated. 

Brast,  burst,  break. 

Breaths,  breathing  holes. 

Brief,  shorten. 

Brim,  fierce,  furious. 

Brised,  broke. 

Bur,  hand-guard  of  a  spear. 

Burble,  bubble. 

Burbling,  bubbling. 

Burgenetts,  buds,  blossoms. 

Bushmen  t,  ambush. 

By  and  by,  immediately. 

Cankered,  malignant. 
Cantelj  slice,  strip. 


s°5 


506      THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 


Careful,  sorrowful,  full  of  troubles. 

Cast  (of  bread),  batch. 

Cere,  wax  over,  embalm. 

Certes,  certainly. 

Chafe,  heat. 

Charged,  burdened. 

Chariot,  cart. 

Cheer,  countenance,  entertainment. 

ChiertS,  dearness. 

Cognisance,  badge,  mark  of  distinction. 

Coif,  head-piece. 

Comfort,  strengthen,  help. 

Complished,  complete. 

Condescended,  agreed. 

Conserve,  preserve. 

Cost,  side. 

Costed,  kept  up  with. 

Courage,  disposition. 

Courage,  v.,  encourage. 

Courtelage,  courtyard. 

Covin,  deceit. 

Croup,  crupper. 

Daffish,  foolish. 

Danger  (in),  in  the  power  of. 

Dawed,  v.  tr.,  revived  ;  intr.,  dawned. 

Deadly,  mortal,  human. 

Deal,  part,  whit. 

Debate,  quarrel,  strife. 

Deceivable,  deceitful. 

Defend,  forbid. 

Defoiled,  trodden  down,  deflowered. 

Degree  (win  or  yield  the),  rank,  superiority. 

Deliverly,  adroitly. 

Departed,  divided,  parted. 

Departition,  departure,  sundering. 

Descrive,  describe. 

Did  off,  doffed. 

Dight,  prepared. 

Disadventure,  misfortune. 

Discover,  reveal. 

Diseased,  unwell. 

Disherited,  disinherited. 

Disparpled,  scattered. 

Dissever,  distinguish. 

Distained,  sullied,  dishonoured. 

Disworship,  shame. 

Do,  cause. 

Dole,  gift  of  alms. 

Dole,  sorrow. 

Dolour,  grief. 

Don,  gift. 

Doted,  foolish. 

Draughts,  recesses. 

Drenched,  drowned. 


Dress,  make  ready. 

Dressed  up,  raised. 

Dretching,  being  troubled  in  sleep. 

Driving,  riding  fast. 

Dure,  endure,  last. 

Duresse,  bondage,  hardship. 

Dwine,  dwindle. 

Eased,  entertained. 

Eft,  after,  again. 

Eftures,  passages. 

Embushed,  concealed  in  the  woods. 

Em,  uncle. 

Empoison,  poison. 

Enchafe,  heat. 

Enchieve,  achieve. 

Endlong,  alongside  of,  along. 

Enforce,  constrain. 

Engine,  device. 

Enow,  enough. 

Ensured,  assured. 

Entermete,  meddle. 

Errant,  wandering. 

Estates,  ranks. 

Evenlong,  along. 

Everych,  each,  every  one. 

Fain,  gladly. 

Fare,  sb.,  ado,  commotion. 

Faren,  pp.,  treated. 

Fante,  v.,  lack. 

Fealty,  oath  of  fidelity. 

Fear,  frighten. 

Feute,  trace,  track. 

Feuter,  set  in  rest,  couch. 

Fiaunce,  affiance,  promise. 

Flang,  flung,  rushed. 

Flatting,  prostrate. 

Fleet,  float. 

Flemed,  put  to  flight. 

Foiled,  defeated,  shamed. 

Foin,  thrust. 

Foot-hot,  hastily. 

For-bled,  spent  with  bleeding. 

Force  (no),  no  concern. 

Fordo,  destroy. 

Forecast,  preconcerted  plot. 

For-fared,  worsted. 

Forfend,  forbid. 

Forfoughten,  weary  with  fighting. 

Forhewn,  hewn  to  pieces. 

Forjousted,  tired  with  jousting,  worsted. 

Forthdays,  far  advanced  in  the  day. 

Forthink,  repent. 

Fortuned,  happened. 


GLOSSARY 


5°7 


Forward,  vanguard. 
Forwhy,  because. 
Free,  noble. 
Freshed,  refreshed. 

Gar,  cause. 

Germane,  closely  allied. 

Gest,  deed,  story. 

Glaive,  sword. 

G  lasting,  barking. 

Glatisant,  barking,  yelping. 

Gree,  degree,  superiority. 

Greed,  pp.,  pleased,  content. 

Grimly,  ugly. 

Grovelling,  lying  face  downwards. 

Hair,  a  hair-shirt. 

Hale  and  how,  a  sailor's  cry,  heave-ho. 

Halp,  stumbled. 

Halse,  embrace. 

Harbingers,  messengers  sent  to  prepare  lodgings. 

Harness,  armour. 

Haut,  high,  noble. 

Hauteyn,  haughty. 

Heavy,  sad. 

Hete,  command. 

Hied,  hurried. 

High  (on),  aloud. 

Hight,  called. 

Hilled,  covered,  concealed. 

Holp,  helped. 

Holts,  woods. 

Hough-bone,  back  part  of  knee-joint. 

Houselled,  given  the  Eucharist. 

Hove,  hover,  wait  about. 

Hurled,  dashed,  staggered. 

Intermeddled,  mixed. 

Japer,  joker. 

Japes,  jests, 
esseraunt,  a  short  cuirass. 
Journey,  day  of  battle. 

Keep,  -v.,  care,  reck. 

Kemps,  champions. 

Kind,  nature. 

Kindly,  natural. 

Knights  parters,  marshals. 

Knowledging,  acknowledgment,  confession. 

Lain,  conceal. 

Langering,  sauntering. 
Large,  generous. 
Largess,  liberality. 
Laund,  waste,  plain. 


Lazar-cot,  leper-house. 

Lead,  sb.,  leaden  seal. 

Learn,  teach. 

Lears,  cheeks. 

Leaved,  leafy. 

Leech,  physician. 

Let,  caused  to. 

Let,  hinder. 

Lief,  dear. 

Lieve,  believe. 

List,  desire,  pleasure. 

Lith,  joint. 

Livelihood,  income,  estate. 

Long  unto,  belong  to,  fit. 

Long  on  (upon),  because  of. 

Loos,  praise. 

Loveday,  day  for  settling  disputes. 

Loving,  praising. 

Lusk,  lubber. 

Lusts,  inclination,  pleasure. 

Makeles3,  matchless. 

Makers,  authors,  poets. 

Mai  engine,  evil  intent. 

Mal-fortune,  ill-luck,  mishap. 

Marches,  borders. 

Mass-penny,  offering  at  mass  for  the  dead. 

Masteries,  feats. 

Matchecold,  machicolated,  with  holes  for  defence. 

Maugre,  sb.,  despite. 

Measle,  disease. 

Meddle,  engage  in  battle. 

Mickle,  much. 

Minever,  ermine 

Mischieved,  hurt. 

Mischievous,  painful. 

Miscreature,  unbeliever. 

Mo,  more. 

More  and  less,  rich  and  poor. 

Mote,  may. 

Motes,  notes  on  a  horn. 

Mountenance,  amount  of,  extent. 

Moved,  suggested. 

Much,  great. 

Naked,  unarmed. 

Namely,  especially. 

Ne,  nor. 

Near-hand,  near,  nearly. 

Nesh,  soft,  tender. 

Nill,  will  not. 

Nis,  ne  is,  is  not. 

Nist,  ne  wist,  knew  not. 

Noblesse,  nobleness. 

Nobley,  nobility,  splendour. 


5o8      THE  ROMANCE  OF  KING  ARTHUR 


Noised,  reported. 
Nold,  would  not. 
Not  for  then,  nevertheless. 

Obeissance,  obedience. 

Or,  before. 

Orgule,  haughtiness. 

Orgulist,  haughtiest. 

Orgulite,  pride,  arrogance. 

Orgulous,  proud. 

Orison,  prayer. 

Other,  or. 

Ouches,  jewels. 

Ought,  owned. 

Outcept,  except. 

Outher,  or. 

Out-take,  except. 

Overthwart,  adj.,  cross. 

Overthwart,  sk,  mischance. 

Overthwart  and  endlong,  by  the  breadth  and  length. 

Painture,  painting. 

Pair  of  beads,  rosary. 

Paitrelles,  breastplate  of  a  horse. 

Parage,  dignity. 

Parclos,  partition. 

Pareil,  like. 

Passing,  surpassingly. 

Pavilion,  tent. 

Peaced,  quieted. 

Perdy,  par  Dieu. 

Perish,  destroy. 

Peron,  tombstone. 

Pight,  pitched. 

Pike,  steal  away. 

Pill,  plunder. 

Pillers,  plunderers. 

Pleasaunce,  pleasure. 

Plenour,  complete. 

Pointling,  aiming. 

Pont,  bridge. 

Posseded,  possessed. 

Press,  throng,  crowd. 

Prime,  6.0  a.m. 

Prise,  capture. 

Puissance,  power. 

Purvey,  provide. 

Purveyance,  provision. 

Quarrels,  arrowheads. 
Questing,  barking. 
Quick,  alive. 

Raced  (rased),  tore. 
Raines,  Rennes. 


Ransacked,  searched. 

Rash,  rush. 

Rasing,  rushing. 

Rasure,  cuttingness. 

Raught,  reached,  fetched. 

Rechate,  bugle-note  of  recall. 

Recover,  rescue. 

Rede,  sb.,  counsel,  v.  advise. 

Rejoice,  enjoy. 

Religion,  religious  order. 

Reneye,  deny. 

Report,  refer. 

Retrayed,  drew  back. 

Rightwise,  rightly. 

Sacring,  consecrating. 

Sad,  serious. 

Sadly,  heartily,  earnestly. 

Samite,  silk  stuff  with  gold  or  silver  threads. 

Sangreal,  Holy  Grail. 

Sarps,  girdles. 

Saw,  proverb. 

Scripture,  writing. 

Search,  probe  wounds. 

Semblant,  semblance,  appearance. 

Sewe,  follow. 

Sewer,  officer  who  served  and  tasted  dishes. 

Sheef,  thrust. 

Sheer-Thursday,  Thursday  in  Holy  Week. 

Shend,  harm. 

Shenship,  disgrace. 

Shent,  undone,  disgraced,  blamed. 

Shrew,  sturdy  knave. 

Shrewd,  knavish. 

Sib,  akin  to. 

Sideling,  sideways. 

Siege,  seat. 

Siker,  sure. 

Sith,  since. 

Slade,  valley. 

Soil  (to  go  to),  hunting  term  for  taking  to  water. 

Sort,  company. 

Sperd,  bolted. 

Spere,  ask,  inquire. 

Sperhawk,  sparrowhawk. 

Spiritualites,  sacred  places. 

Stead,  place. 

Stert,  started,  rose  quickly. 

Steven,  voice. 

Stigh,  path. 

Stilly,  silently. 

Stint,  si.,  fixed  revenue. 

Stint,  -v.  stop. 

Stonied,  astonished,  became  confused. 

Stour,  battle. 


GLOSSARY 


5°9 


Strait,  narrow. 
Strake,  blow  a  horn. 
Sue,  pursue. 

Surcingles,  saddle  girths. 
Sweven,  dream. 

Tatches,  qualities. 

Term,  period  of  time. 

Tho,  then. 

Thrang,  pushed. 

Till,  to. 

To-brast,  burst. 

To-drive,  be  carried  away. 

To-fore,  before. 

To-hew,  hewed. 

Took,  gave. 

To-shivered,  broken  to  pieces. 

Traced,  advanced  and  retreated. 

Trasing,  pressing  forward. 

Traverse,  move  sideways. 

Trenchant,  cutting,  sharp. 

Trest,  hunting  term. 

Truage,  tribute. 

Trussed,  packed. 

Ubblie,  sacred  wafer,  Host. 
Umbecast,  cast  about. 
Umbre,  shade. 
Unavised,  thoughtlessly. 
Underne,  9-12  a.m. 
Ungoodly,  rudely. 
Unhappy,  unlucky. 
Unhilled,  uncovered. 
Unnethe,  scarcely. 
Unsiker,  unstable. 
Unwarly,  at  unawares. 
Unwrast,  untwisted,  unbound. 
Up-so-down,  upside  down. 
Usurped,  encroached. 
Utterance,  uttermost. 


Venery,  hunting. 

Villain,  man  of  low  birth. 

Visors,  the  perforated  parts  of  helmets. 

Void,  empty. 

Wagging,  shaking. 

Wake,  watch. 

Wallop,  gallop. 

Wan,  ebb. 

Wap,  ripple. 

Ware,  aware. 

Wan'son,  reward. 

Warn,  forbid,  refuse. 

Weeds,  garments. 

Weltered,  rolled  about. 

Where,  whereas. 

Wield,  possess,  have  power  over. 

Wight,  brave,  strong. 

Wite,  */.,  blame. 

Withsay,  oppose. 

Witting,  knowledge. 

Wold  or  nold,  would  or  would  not. 

Wonder,  ad}^  wondrous. 

Wonder,  ad'v.y  wondrously. 

Wonderly,  wonderfully. 

Wood,  mad. 

Woodness,  madness. 

Wood  shaw,  thicket  of  the  wood. 

Worship,  honour. 

Worship,  f.,  cause  to  be  honoured. 

Worth,  befall  (woe  worth,  woe  befall). 

Wot,  know. 

Wrack,  destruction. 

Writhe,  twist. 

Wrothe,  twisted. 

Yede,  ran,  went. 
Yelden,  yielded. 
Yolden,  yielded. 
Y-wis,  certainly. 


THE    END 


Printed  by  R.  &  R.  Clark,  Limited,  Edinburgh. 


5  a-fe^?- 


